BIRMINGHAM, Ala.- Megan Gibbons launched a three-run home run, but the Runnin' Bulldogs (1-4) could not overcome a nine run first inning by Samford (5-2), as the Gardner-Webb softball team fell 12-8 on Friday evening. 

Offensively, the Runnin' Bulldogs pounded out seven runs on eight hits, but three home runs by the Bulldogs, propelled Samford to the victory. 

The Runnin' Bulldogs jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning, when Scarlett Harris continued her hot start to the season with an RBI double to left field, scoring Kellie Beres, and a sacrifice fly by Amanda Gomes to score Megan Gibbons. 

Samford would come right back in the bottom of the first inning, plating nine runs on five hits, to take a 9-2 lead after one inning of play. 

Both teams would settle down defensively for the next two innings, combining for no runs and just three hits. 

Jill Blank reached on a fielder choice, to score Gomes, as GWU trimmed the deficit to 9-3 after the fourth inning. 

Savannah Burns led-off the top of the sixth inning with a single, but Wark popped out to the shortstop, and Allie Barrick followed up with a foul-out to the first baseman.

With two outs and one runner on base, Blank singled to the shortstop to keep the inning alive, allowing Burns to advance to second base on the play. 

Beres rocketed an RBI single up the middle to score Burns, which was followed by Gibbons who hit a three-run home run, and Gardner-Webb would trail 9-7 after the top of the sixth. 

Caiti Bice led off the bottom of the sixth with a solo-shot, and two batters later Abbie Miranda struckfor a two-run home run, and Samford extended its lead to 12-7 after six innings. 

Gibbons would strike again for her fourth RBI of the game in the seventh inning, but Samford would go on for the 12-8 victory.

Gardner-Webb returns to action tomorrow facing Murray State at 10:00 a.m., and later on against Nicholls State at 5:00 p.m.