CLINTON, S.C. – Gardner-Webb's rally over the final two innings fell just short, as Presbyterian held on for a 7-5 win over the Runnin' Bulldogs in the opener of a three-game Big South softball series.
Gardner-Webb (14-34, 6-13 Big South) out hit the Blue Hose in the game, 12-8, but stranded 11 runners.
The 'Dogs trailed 3-0 after three innings, as the Blue Hose plated a pair in the bottom of the first after a two-run home run by Megan Anderson – and added another run in the second on an RBI bunt single from Jenna Harris.
The Runnin' Bulldogs got on the board in the fourth, getting a leadoff single from Megan Champion and a sacrifice bunt by Megan Gibbons to move her into scoring position. After a strikeout, the 'Dogs had a two-out situation, and Maddi Johnson came through with an RBI double to right to trim the Blue Hose lead to 3-1.
Gardner-Webb trimmed the lead further in the fifth, getting a leadoff single from Kaylee Wacaster to spark the effort. A passed ball with one out allowed Wacaster to move into scoring position, then Callie Thornton reached on a fielder's choice to put runners on the corners.
After Thornton stole second base, Champion came through with another base hit, driving a ball up the middle to score Wacaster and trim the Presbyterian lead to only one run.
The Blue Hose answered with a run in the bottom half of the fifth, but Gardner-Webb had another productive inning in its half of the sixth – scoring twice to tie the game.
Just as it had in the previous two innings that produced runs, Gardner-Webb got a leadoff single in the sixth – this time from Annamarie Warley. Johnson followed with a single up the middle and Madi Lewis earned a walk to load the bases after a pitching change.
Rachel Cumiskey drove home a run when she was plunked with one out in the frame, then Alia Booth came through with a two-out single to drive home Johnson to tie the game. Pinch runner Allie Barrick nearly gave GWU the lead, but was called out at the plate to end the inning.
The Blue Hose had an answer, however, scoring three runs in the bottom of the sixth to retake the lead.
Two hits, including a double, were followed by a failed pickoff attempt that put the hosts on top 5-4. An RBI single from Blaire Miller and an RBI groundout pushed the Blue Hose lead to 7-4 before GWU could get back into the dugout.
Gardner-Webb made another push, getting a one-out single from Gibbons and another single from Warley to bring the tying run to the plate. An RBI knock from Johnson cut the lead to 7-5 and brought the go-ahead run to the plate.
Presbyterian reliever Katie Brown got out of the jam, rolling a pair of ground balls to end the game.
Brown picked up the win, working 2.0 innings out of the bullpen and allowing just one run on four hits (one walk).
The Blue Hose had eight hits in the game, getting a 2-for-3 effort from Miller to lead the way. Presbyterian also took advantage of four Gardner-Webb errors on the day.
Ashley Wark took the loss in the circle for the Runnin' Bulldogs, despite allowing just one earned run (four runs total) in 4.0 innings of relief work. She scattered four hits and struck out two batters.
Gardner-Webb was led at the plate by Champion (3-for-4, 2B, RBI) and Johnson (3-for-4, 2B, 2 RBI). Warley (2-for-4) also had multiple hits on Friday afternoon.
The two teams will wrap up the series on Saturday, starting a doubleheader at Noon in Clinton.
