Rachel Cumiskey's two walk off hits lifted the Gardner-Webb Runnin' Bulldogs to a pair of victories on Saturday afternoon, 8-7 over Youngstown State and 5-2 over Hampton University.
"We're thrilled to get two quality wins today," said head coach
Tom Cole. "Both of these wins were truly teams wins and great for the program. We are very proud of all the players involved with our program and could not be happier to record two victories over quality opponents."
Game 1: Gardner-Webb 8, Youngstown State 7
The Penguins of Youngstown State scored first in game one, taking an early 2-0 lead after the top of the second inning. YSU used four hits: two doubles and two singles, to push a pair of runs across the plate.
The Runnin' Bulldogs responded in their half of the second inning with Cumiskey recording a leadoff single to get things started.
Katie Prebble recorded a base knock, which allowed Cumiskey to move into scoring position. Cumiskey crossed home plate as Prebble stole second, recording Gardner-Webb's first run of the contest.
Katie Stettler followed the likes of Prebble, also getting a base hit and stolen base. Two batters later,
Weslyn Almond homered to move the home team in front, 4-3, after just two innings of action.
Things stayed quiet until the fifth inning when both teams would manage additional runs. Youngstown State retook the lead, 5-4, via an RBI groundout and single, but it was short lived as Gardner-Webb quickly tied things up.
In the bottom of the fifth,
Kaylee Wacaster moved her way around the base paths via a single, stolen base and passed ball.
Maddi Johnson's RBI double to rightcenter field scored Wacaster to even the score at five runs apiece.
The Penguins scored for the second consecutive inning in the sixth, when Hananah Lucas recorded an RBI triple and Yazmin Romero batted in a run with a single.
Trailing 7-5, Prebble led off the bottom of the sixth with a solo shot to right center field, pulling GWU within a run.
The Runnin' Bulldogs entered the bottom of the final inning trailing, but
Andria Booth quickly got into scoring position and crossed home thanks to an error by the Penguin's first baseman. Booth's run tied the game at seven and Johnson kept things with a base hit.
Callie Thornton appeared as a pinch runner for Johnson with Cumiskey at the plate. Cumiskey quickly doubled to right center field, and Thornton scored from first to give the 'Dogs the 8-7 win over the Penguins.
Cumiskey led the way in game one going 3-for-4, while Johnson (2-for-4) and Prebble (2-for-2) also recorded multiple hits.
Ashley Wark (2-1) earned the win, pitching a complete game and striking out seven. Madi Lusk (1-2) took the loss for Youngstown State.
Game 2: Gardner-Webb 5, Hampton 2
Laken Myers gave up only two runs in Gardner-Webb's second game of the GWU Tournament Sponsored by AmericInn, helping the Runnin' Bulldogs secure their second victory of the day and third straight.
The Pirates managed their only runs in the top of the second inning, scoring with twice via an error with two outs following a Morgan Crawford single.
Booth and Prebble recorded hits for Gardner-Webb in the bottom of the first and second innings, but it was not until the bottom of the third that the home squad managed to tie the game.
With one out, K. Wacaster reached on an error by the left fielder and made it safely to third, setting things up for Johnson. Johnson's single scored Cumiskey to make the score 2-1 in favor of Hampton. Lily Presley pinch ran for Johnson and scored when
Lauren Huffman hit a single to right field with two outs.
Despite tying the score after three innings, Gardner-Webb was unable to pull ahead until extras. The 'Dogs were unable to gain any momentum, as they were retired in order for three consecutive innings.
Myers held Hampton scoreless, allowing only three additional hits by the Pirates between the fourth and seventh innings.
Trinity Sterrett tripled with one out in the bottom of the seventh, but Hampton managed to retire
Weslyn Almond and Booth to keep the score knotted at two and send the game to extra innings.
The Pirates and Runnin' Bulldogs each started the eighth inning with a runner on second due to the international tiebreaker rule. Myers did not allow the Pirates to score, retiring the side in order.
In the bottom of the seventh, Booth began the inning on second, and moved to third when K. Wacaster reached via an error by the pitcher. Wacaster stole second and Cumiskey stepped into the batter's box with two outs.
Cumiskey turned on a pitch, sending the ball over the fence for her second walk off hit of the day. The senior catcher's three-RBI home run gave the Runnin' Bulldogs a 5-2 victory in front of the home crowd.
Myers (1-2) earned the win for GWU, pitching a complete game and giving up just two runs (no earned). The freshman struck out four and walked one. Allie Hotetz (0-1) took the loss, going 7.1 innings.
Six different players recorded a hit for the Runnin' Bulldogs.
Gardner-Web will return to action on Friday, February 16, when it hosts the Runnin' Bulldog Tournament. GWU will face Western Illinois at 12 noon.
