ATHENS, Ga. –
Katie Prebble's four home runs helped Gardner-Webb go 1-1 on the final day of the 15
th Annual Georgia Classic.
Game One: College of Charleston 7, Gardner-Webb 2
Andria Booth hit a single up the middle with one out in the first to give Gardner-Webb some momentum in the early stages of the contest. Booth was called out at second when
Kaylee Wacaster reached via a fielder's choice, and the same turn of events happened to Wacaster when
Maddi Johnson also reached base on a fielder's choice. At the conclusion of the top of the first, Gardner-Webb left one runner stranded.
The Cougars took a three-run lead in their half of the opening inning using three hits to plate a trio of runners.
Each team had a runner reach base in the second but neither squad managed any runs. Facing a 2-2 count,
Lauren Huffman put the ball in play and found her way on base thanks to a throwing error by College of Charleston's third baseman. The Cougars drew a leadoff walk, but each team stranded a runner.
With one out in the third,
Weslyn Almond stepped up to the plate for the Runnin' Bulldogs and was hit by a pitch on the first pitch she saw. The freshman outfielder made it no further than first base as a groundout and lineout ended the inning for the 'Dogs.
College of Charleston added one run in the third and after retiring Gardner-Webb in order in the top of the fourth, scored three runs on four singles.
Both teams went down in order in the fifth. Almond started the sixth with a single to second base but advanced no further.
Ashley Wark retired three consecutive Cougars in the final half of the sixth inning.
Prebble gave the Runnin' Bulldogs some life in the final inning. After Johnson singled, the Pomfret, Maryland native came to the plate and faced a full count. Prebble took the sixth pitch of her at-bat and crushed it over the fence in left center field for Gardner-Webb's first two runs of the contest.
Despite a single from Huffman, the 'Dogs were unable to score any additional runs as a double play ended the contest.
Five Runnin' Bulldogs had a hit in the loss – Booth, Johnson, Huffman, Almond and Prebble.
Wark took the loss, pitching six innings and giving up eight hits and seven runs (three earned). The Cougars' Izzy Berouty pitched six shutout innings in College of Charleston's win.
Game Two: Gardner-Webb 6, ETSU 3
In its second game of the day, Gardner-Webb surrendered three runs to ETSU in the top of the first, but that would be all the Bucs could manage for the game.
Gardner-Webb started strong in the bottom of the first but could not break into the Bucs 3-0 lead.
Back-to-back infield singles by Almond and Booth to start the game gave the Runnin Bulldogs' runners on first and second with no outs. After the duo advanced to second and third on a groundout, Johnson walked, loading the bases with just one batter retired. A strikeout and fielder's choice ended the frame with three 'Dogs stranded on the basepaths.
Booth recorded her second hit of the contest in the third inning, but it wasn't until the next inning that GWU succeeded in putting a run on the scoreboard.
Prebble opened the inning by putting a drive into the fourth pitch of her plate appearance and sending the ball over the left field wall for her second home run of the day, cutting ETSU's advantage to two runs, 3-1.
After a quiet fifth inning, Prebble stepped into the batter's box with one on and one out and hit her second bomb of the contest and third of the day, this time over the center field fence. Prebble's homer tied the contest at three runs apiece.
Madi Lewis came in to pitch the top of the seventh and held ETSU scoreless to give GWU a chance to break the tie and earn the walk-off win.
Almond singled to begin the bottom of the seventh and advanced to second on Booth's sacrifice bunt. After K. Wacaster was retired, Johnson walked, bringing Prebble to the plate.
Prebble capped off her stellar day with a three RBI, walk-off homer to center field, giving the 'Dogs a 6-3 victory.
All three of Prebble's hits in game two were home runs, and the Maryland native batted in all six of Gardner-Webb's runs in the contest. For the day, she hit four home runs.
Lewis earned the win, pitching one inning.
Sam Harrell started the game and gave up three runs over six innings. ETSU's Tiffany Laughren took the defeat.
The Runnin' Bulldogs now stand at 10-7 overall, while ETSU drops to 4-6.
Gardner-Webb will return to action at Brinkley Stadium on Wednesday, February 28, for a doubleheader against South Carolina State. Game one is set to begin at 2 p.m.