GREENSBORO, N.C.- The Gardner-Webb softball team set season-highs with 14 runs and 16 hits in a 14-5 defeat of N.C. A&T, but lost 6-2 in the second game of the afternoon to the Aggies.
Game 1- GWU 14, N.C. A&T 5 (6 inn.)
Amanda Gomes and Savannah Burns each drove in three RBI on the afternoon, and Kellie Beres, Megan Gibbons, Rachel Cumiskey, and Scarlett Harris all recorded three hits to pace the Gardner-Webb offense.
Offensively, the first four batters had a great day at the plate, combining for 12 of the team's 16 hits. The Runnin' Bulldogs were extremely aggressive on the basepaths stealing a season-high seven bases, which was nearly double the season total, as GWU entered the game with seven stolen bases for the season.
Beres led off the game with a single to shortstop and advanced to second base on a sacrifice bunt by Gibbons. Beres advanced to third base on a single by Cumiskey, and Harris drove in the first two runs of the game with a double to right field. Burns drove in the third run of the inning, and Gardner-Webb would jump out to a 3-0 lead after the top of the first inning.
The offense continued for the Dawgs in the second inning, as Taylar Pridgen walked to start the inning and proceeded to steal second base. Pridgen advanced to third base on a ground out by Beres, and Gibbons walked, as Gardner-Webb would have runners on first and third with just one out. Cumiskey, Gomes, and Burns all drove in a run, as Gardner-Webb doubled its lead to 6-0 after two innings of play.
After a scoreless third inning, Kimberly Brunson led off the home half of the fourth with a solo shot to spark a five run inning, as the Aggies would trail 6-5 after the fourth inning.
Gardner-Webb scored five runs in the fifth and added three more in the sixth to defeat N.C. A&T 14-5 in the first game of the doubleheader.
Game 2- GWU 2, N.C. A&T 6
Maiven McKnight started on the mound for the Aggies in the second game of the afternoon, and the sophomore pitcher tossed a complete game, allowing two unearned runs and struck out one.
Sam Harrell had a rough start for GWU, allowing five runs in just two thirds of an inning, and was replaced by Summer Darnell, who was great in relief, allowing just five hits in just over five innings.
North Carolina A&T scored five runs in the bottom of the first and added an additional run in the second to take a 6-0 lead after two innings of play.
Gardner-Webb would not go down with a fight, as the Runnin' Bulldogs would plate two runs in the top of the six on an RBI singles by Beres and Blank, but the Aggies sent the Dawgs down in order in the seventh for the 6-2 victory.
The Runnin' Bulldogs return to action this weekend, when they host Liberty for a three-game series on Saturday and Sunday.
