BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.- Scarlett Harris smashed her third home run of the season to lead the Gardner-Webb softball team to split a pair of games Saturday at the Brinkley Softball Stadium.
Gardner-Webb dropped a 4-3 decision to Hampton in the first of two games on the day and came up with a 7-2 victory over Hartford in the nightcap.
Kaylee Wacaster led the way offensively as she went 5-for-7 with a double and four runs, while Rachel Cumiskey was also productive at the plate going 3-for-6 with two runs and three RBI.
The Runnin' Bulldogs were a perfect 4-for-4 in the stolen base department led by Jill Blank was who was a perfect 2-for-2.
Gardner-Webb 3, Hampton 4
Devyn Terry made her first start against Hampton, scattering three hits in three innings of work and Ashley Wark was brought on as a reliever in the fourth inning, and the sophomore pitched four innings and allowed just one run.
Danielle Budden grounded out to begin the Hampton first and Diamond Ponds drew a walk, but the Pirates were unable to do anything with the base runner.
Wacaster led off the home half of the first with a double and advanced to third on a passed ball. Blank drove in the first run of the game with an RBI single to right field and Cumiskey followed with a single to the second baseman and GWU had runners on first and second with just one out. Amanda Gomes recorded the first out of the inning on a fly ball to center field. Blank and Cumiskey moved up 60 feet as they each stole a base and gave GWU two runners in scoring position with just one out.
However, Harris and Megan Gibbons recorded the final two outs of the inning and GWU led 1-0 after the first inning.
The score would remain the same until the third inning, when Cumiskey hit a sacrifice fly to score Wacaster.
Hampton stormed back for three runs in the fourth inning and added its fourth run of the game in the fifth inning to take a 4-3 lead heading into the sixth inning.
Down to its final three outs, Harris cut the defecit to one run, launching a solo-shot to begin the seventh. Gibbons followed with a single and after Callie Thornton flew out to the second baseman, Megan Champion roped a single to left center and GWU had two runners on base with just one out.
Emma Megal struck out for the second out of the inning but Champion and Gibbons each advanced to second and third on a passed ball. Wacaster then drew a walk to load the bases, bringing Blank to the plate with a chance to tie or win the game, but the senior hit a grounded to the pitcher for the final out.
Gardner-Webb 7, Hartford 2
Summer Darnell got the nod in game two of the day for the Dogs and the sophomore pitcher was fantastic, tossing a complete game, allowing just four hits and striking out a career-high seven batters.
Peyton Fisher gave the Hawks a 1-0 lead in the top of the first with an RBI single, but GWU came back in the bottom of the inning and took the lead right back as Cumiskey and Harris each had an RBI.
Gardner-Webb continued its hot hitting as it put the game away with a five-run second inning.
Champion flew out to begin the inning but Megal and Wacaster followed with back-to-back singles. Blank then singled through the right side scoring Megan for the first run of the inning and forced a pitching change for the Hawks.
After the pitching change, Blank stole second to move into scoring position and Wacaster scored on a wild pitch, while Cumiskey followed with an RBI double to right center.
Two batters later, Gibbons smashed a two-RBI double to left center scoring Gomes and Cumiskey for GWU's fourth and fifth run of the inning.
Alex Saharek scorred an unearned run in the top of the fifth inning, but Darnell shut down the Hawks and sent GWU to the 7-2 victory, for Gardner-Webb's second victory over Hartford in as many days.
Gardner-Webb returns to action tomorrow for the final game of the Runnin' Bulldog Tournament as it hosts Hampton at 2:00 p.m.
