ATHENS, Ga. – Gardner-Webb fell behind early in the opening game of the 15^th Annual Georgia Classic and lost to the ETSU Bucs, 8-0, on Friday morning.

Trailing 7-0 after three innings, the Runnin' Bulldogs (9-5) managed their first hits in the top of the fourth inning. Andria Booth began the inning with a single up the middle, and Kaylee Wacaster followed with a base hit of her own through the left side of the infield.

Maddi Johnson flied out to center field before Katie Prebble stepped into the batter's box. The freshman from Pomfret, Maryland reached via a fielder's choice, with Wacaster called out at second, but Booth moved to third base.

Booth was stranded 90 feet from home as ETSU (4-4) ended the inning and headed to the bottom of the frame. In the final half of the fourth, the Bucs added their eighth run of the contest – a solo shot off the bat of Tiffany Laughren.

Gardner-Webb would gain some momentum in fifth inning as Lauren Huffman took four straight balls to draw a leadoff walk. Katie Stettler pinch ran for Huffman and quickly found her way into scoring position on a wild pitch.

Jenna Wacaster took a first pitch strike but four consecutive pitches outside the strike zone led to the freshman being awarded first base.

With one out, Weslyn Almond singled to center field, loading the bases. Booth then reached on a fielder's choice, but Stettler was out a home attempting to score Gardner-Webb's first run of the game.

Despite having the bases loaded for a second time, the Bucs managed to get the third out for an 8-0 victory in five innings.

Laken Myers took the loss for Gardner-Webb, pitching two innings and giving up six runs (four earned). ETSU's Madison Ogle earned the win, allowing just two hits in four innings.

The Runnin' Bulldogs will return to action today at 6 p.m. against the 14^th-ranked Georgia Bulldogs.