SHELBY, N.C.- Kellie Beres and Rachel Cumiskey each drove in four runs as the Gardner-Webb softball team (7-13, 1-2 BSC) defeated Liberty (9-12, 2-1 BSC) in a Big South Conference matchup on Sunday afternoon at Crest High School.
Megan Gibbons had an excellent day at the plate for the Dawgs, recording three hits and driving in two runs. Taylar Pridgen was very active on the basepaths, recording two stolen bases, and tallying three big runs for the Runnin' Bulldogs.
Ashley Wark got the start on the mound for Gardner-Webb and allowed six earned runs in 3.2 innings, but Summer Darnell picked up her fourth win of the season in relief, allowing just one run in just over three innings of work.
After allowing just one earned run yesterday in 7.1 innings, Chandler Ball once again got the start for the Flames, and this time was not as effective, as Gardner-Webb managed seven runs in just 2.2 innings off Ball.
Tori Zavodny singled to lead off the games for the Flames, and advanced to third on a bunt by Megan Robinson. Robinson proceeded to steal second base to get into scoring position. Mickey Loveridge hit a slow grounder to Wark, who tossed it to Amanda Gomes at home plate for the force out to record the first out of the inning for the Dawgs. Alexia Taylor was up at bat following Loveridge, and hit an RBI single to right field for the first run of the game for the Flames. Madison Kotchey recorded an RBI on a fielder's choice, but Kelby Allen also managed to score on a throwing error by Burns, as the Flames notched three runs in the first to take a 3-0 lead.
Gardner-Webb had the bases loaded with two outs in the bottom of the first, but Ball got Burns to fly out to center field to escape out of the jam, without surrendering a run.
Robinson singled home Zavodny, as Liberty would plate another run in the second to take a 4-0 lead.
Gardner-Webb loaded the bases once again in the second, and this time made the most of it, as Cumiskey hammered a grand slam home run over the left field fence to tie the game at four.
The Runnin' Bulldogs continued their scoring prowless in the third, as Kelly Beres drove home two runs with an RBI triple down the left field line, and Gibbons followed with an RBI single to score Beres to give GWU a 7-4 lead after three innings of play.
Liberty scored three runs on three hits in the fourth to tie the game at seven, but Champion walked to lead off the fifth, and advanced into scoring position on a sacrifice bunt by Jill Blank. Pridgen drew a walk, and Champion advanced to third base on a wild pitch. After Pridgen moved into scoring position with a stolen bases, Beres drove in two runs with a single up the middle and advanced to third on the throw to home plate. Gibbons followed Beres with a sacrifice fly, and Gardner-Webb scored three runs in the fifth to take a 10-7 lead.
Kassidy McCoy single home Jamie Crisp for the Flames' eighth run of the game, but Darnell got Zavodny to foul out to Gibbons for the final out of the game to send Gardner-Webb to the 10-8 victory.
The Runnin' Bulldogs return to action on Tuesday when they take the short trek to Clinton, S.C. to face Presbyterian in a doubleheader scheduled for 2:00 p.m.
