GREENVILLE, S.C.-Rachel Cumiskey went 3-4 knocking in three RBI, to lead the Gardner-Webb softball team (2-8) to a 7-5 victory over Fordham, in the first of the games on Saturday afternoon at Furman University (8-5).
The Runnin' Bulldogs fell 4-0 in the second game of the day to the Paladins (4-2).
Game 1- Gardner-Webb 7, Fordham 5
Ashley Wark recorded her first win of the season (1-5), tossing 4.2 innings, allowing three runs, and striking out two. Against the Rams, GWU scored seven runs, on 10 hits, and had one error, while the Rams scored five runs, on six hits, and committed no errors.
After holding the Runnin' Bulldogs scoreless in the top of the first, Kayla Lombardo roped an RBI single down the left field line, to give the Rams a 1-0 lead after one inning of play.
Both teams would be retired in order, in the second inning, but Taylar Pridgen led off the top of the third with a bunt, and advanced to second base on a wild pitch, as the Runnin' Bulldogs would have a runner in scoring position with no outs. Kellie Beres and Megan Gibbons drew back-to-back walks, and GWU would load the bases with zero outs in the inning. Cumiskey smashed a two-RBI double to left center, allowing Beres and Pridgen to score. Scarlett Harris and Amanda Gomes each followed with RBI's, and Gardner-Webb would take a 4-1 lead, after the top of the third inning.
Following GWU's four run outburst in the top of the third, the Rams would cut the Dogs lead to two, on a Michele Daubman RBI single.
Cumiskey would strike with her third RBI of the game, in the top of the fourth, but the Rams would respond with a run in the bottom of the fourth, as Gardner-Webb would continue to hold a 5-3 lead after four innings of play.
Amanda Gomes led off the fifth inning with her first home run of the season, and later in the inning Wark helped herself out with an RBI ground out, and the Runnin' Bulldogs led 7-3 after five complete innings.
Cora Ianiro launched a two-run home run in the bottom of the sixth, but Wark held the Rams scoreless in the sixth inning, to seal the 7-5 victory for Gardner-Webb.
Game 2- Gardner-Webb 0, Furman 4
Lindsey Bert tossed a gem for the Paladins, throwing a one hitter, to even her record to 2-2 for the season.
Jill Blank recorded the only hit for the Runnin' Bulldogs, and Cumiskey drew a walk, but Gardner-Webb had a tough time mustering up any offense against the freshman pitcher.
Both teams remained tied at zero through three innings, but Taylor Jenkins blasted a grand-slam home run in the bottom of the fourth, to send Furman to the 4-0 victory over Gardner-Webb.
The Runnin' Bulldogs return to action on Wednesday (Feb. 25) when they travel to Greensboro, N.C. to face North Carolina A&T for a double-header starting at 1:00 p.m.
