BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – Maddi Johnson and Lauren Huffman's RBI singles in the bottom of the sixth inning propelled GWU to a 5-4 win over WKU in game two of the Gardner-Webb University Tournament Sponsored by AmericInn. The 'Dogs fell to Youngstown State in game one, 7-4.

Game 1: Youngstown State 7, Gardner-Webb 4

Youngstown State opened up a quick 3-0 lead in the top of the first thanks to a pair of RBI base hits and a sacrifice fly, presenting Gardner-Webb with the tough task of coming back from a multi-run deficit.

The Runnin' Bulldogs were unable to get anything going in their half of the first, but did pull within two runs, 3-1, in the bottom of the second frame.

Two singles and a walk loaded the bases for Andria Booth who reached first on a hard hit ball to the shortstop to cut the Runnin' Bulldogs deficit by one run.

The bottom of the third was a repeat of the second, with Gardner-Webb holding YSU scoreless while adding a run of its own.

Jenna Wacaster singled, while Meredith Ferguson reached on an error, bringing Rachel Cumiskey to the plate with two on and one in scoring position. Cumiskey's single made the score 3-2 in favor of the visitors after three innings of play.

Both teams scored a run in the fourth inning, with the Runnin' Bulldogs taking advantage of numerous walks. Weslyn Almond was hit by a pitch, before Booth singled, giving GWU two runners on and no outs. Kaylee Wacaster and Johnson drew back-to-back walks to make the score 4-3 in favor of Youngstown at the end of the inning.

Neither team managed to have any runners cross home plate until the top of the sixth when YSU opened the inning with a pair of base hits before using two RBI groundouts plated two runs, giving the visitors from Ohio a 6-3 lead.

Booth helped GWU pull within three runs when she singled and stole second to get in scoring position. A pair of groundouts allowed Booth to score, as GWU cut into the YSU deficit by a run.

As the two teams headed to the final inning, Youngstown held a 6-4 lead, but a leadoff home run pushed its advantage back to three runs. The Runnin' Bulldogs managed only a walk in the final half of the seventh, and fell, 7-4.

Booth (3-for-4) was the lone Gardner-Webb player to record multiple hits in the contest.

Paige Geanangle (1-0) earned the win for Youngstown, pitching four innings of one-hit softball. Laken Myers (0-2) took the loss. The freshman gave up eight hits and four runs (three earned) in four innings of work.

Game 2: Gardner-Webb 5, WKU 4

Gardner-Webb's final game of the day came down to the wire with Johnson and Huffman's RBI's propelling the Runnin' Bulldogs to a 5-4 victory over the WKU Hilltoppers.

WKU drew first blood in the contest, using a double and an error to take a 1-0 lead over the host team in the top of the second inning. While GWU was unable to score in the bottom of the inning, the Hilltoppers added an additional run in the top of the third.

A single and a steal, followed by an RBI double extended WKU's advantage to 2-0 after three innings of play.

The bottom of the third saw Gardner-Webb take its first lead of the game, 3-2. Trinity Sterrett singled with two outs, before Almond added a base hit of her own. Following Almond, Booth stepped to the plate and singled, but advanced to second on the throw by the WKU defense, allowing Sterrett to score.

K. Wacaster plated the final two runs of the inning despite being thrown out trying to advance to second base. Her single scored Booth and Almond and gave the Runnin' Bulldogs a 3-2 lead after three innings.

No runs were scored by either team until the sixth when WKU opened the frame with two runs to take back the lead. Three straight base hits loaded the bases for Jordan Vorbrink who hit a single of her own and knocked in the two runs in the process. Heading to the bottom of the sixth, the Hilltoppers held a 4-3 advantage.

Behind, but not defeated, Gardner-Webb stormed back in its half of the sixth. Booth led off the inning with a base knock and later scored on Johnson's RBI double down the left field line. Lily Pressley pinch ran for Johnson and subsequently scored on the next play when freshman Lauren Huffman singled up the middle, putting the Runnin' Bulldogs ahead once again 5-4.

The Hilltoppers managed a hit in the top of the seventh but never threatened as Gardner-Webb held on for its first victory of 2018.

Booth (2-for-3) and Sterrett (2-for-2) both had multi-hit games. Booth scored twice and batted in a run, while Sterrett scored a run.

The Runnin' Bulldogs improved to 1-3 with the win. Ashley Wark (1-1) pitched a complete game and gave up four runs (three earned). Shelby Nunn (1-1) took the loss for WKU.

Gardner-Webb will return to action in day two of the Garnder-Webb University Tournament Sponsored by AmericInn tomorrow, Saturday, February 10. The Runnin' Bulldogs will take on Youngstown State at 2 p.m., followed by Hampton at 4 p.m.