BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.- The Gardner-Webb softball team picked up two wins over North Carolina A&T, in a non-conference doubleheader on Wednesday afternoon at the Brinkley Softball Stadium.
With the sweep, Gardner-Webb improves to 15-15 overall, while North Carolina A&T falls to 13-16.
Mackenzie Thompson tossed a complete-game and struck out six to lead Gardner-Webb to a 5-3 victory in the first game of the doubleheader, and the Runnin' Bulldogs scored two runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to break a 3-3 tie to win the nightcap 5-3 and record the sweep of the Aggies.
Jill Blank had a great day at the plate, going 5-for-6 with four runs, two doubles, and two RBI, while Amanda Gomes led the team with three RBI, including belting her sixth home run of the season.
Gardner-Webb's pitching staff put together a solid outing in the circle, combining for a 2.50 ERA and were extremely efficient with its pitch location, striking out eight batters and walked just one.
Summer Darnell got the start in game two for the Runnin' Bulldogs and the junior displayed some rust on the mound after missing the past two weeks due to sickness, as she hit three batters, but Devyn Terry came on in relief and tossed one of her best outings of the season. Terry went the final 6.0 innings and did not allow a run for her second victory of the season.
Game 1- Gardner-Webb 5, North Carolina A&T 3
Thompson sent down the Aggies 1-2-3 in the top of the first, and the Runnin' Bulldogs jumped out to a quick 1-0 lead in the bottom of the inning, as Gomes hit into a fielders choice, but Blank scored from third on the play to take a 1-0 lead.
The lead would not last long, as the Aggies tied the game at one in the top of the second on a solo blast by Zadaisha Waddell.
Neither team could generate much offense, but that would change in the fifth for GWU, as the Runnin' Bulldogs scored four runs- all with two outs. Wacaster singled and Blank drove her in with an RBI double. Cumiskey singled up the middle, driving in Blank, and advanced to second on an error. Gomes emptied the bases with a two-run blast to send GWU to the 5-3 victory.
Game 2- Gardner-Webb 5, North Carolina A&T 3
A&T sent all nine batters to the plate in the first and scored three runs to take the lead.
Similar to the first game, Blank hit a one out single and Gomes roped a double to put runners on second and third. Blank would later score in the inning to cut the deficit to two, scoring the run on a wild pitch.
The Aggies continued to lead heading into the third, but that would all change, as Scarlett Harris singled through the left side, scoring Blank and Wacaster to tie the game at three, after three innings of play.
North Carolina A&T and Gardner-Webb remained deadlocked at three heading into the sixth inning. Champion's single was sandwiched between outs by Terry and Thornton, but once against the Runnin' Bulldogs were use some two-out lightning. Wacaster doubled down the right field line, scoring Champion and Blank drove in the freshman on a double to left field.
Terry held the Aggies scoreless in the top of the seventh to send GWU to a 5-3 victory to complete the sweep.
The Runnin' Bulldogs return to action this weekend, when they welcome Charleston Southern for a three-game series. The two teams will play a doubleheader Saturday at 4:00 and 6:00 p.m., and a single game Sunday at 2:00 p.m.
