BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – The Gardner-Webb Runnin' Bulldogs softball team was hampered by Marist's big third inning and fell, 3-1, on Sunday afternoon.

Senior Ashley Wark opened the game by retiring the Red Foxes (4-6) in order, and Gardner-Webb (13-9) took a 1-0 lead after the first inning.

Andria Booth led off the Runnin' Bulldogs first chance at the plate with a walk and stole second with Weslyn Almond in the batter's box. Almond grounded out but moved Booth to third, who came home on Katie Prebble's sacrifice fly to left field.

Unfortunately for the 'Dogs, one run was all they would manage, and Marist used a three-run third inning to pull ahead.  

A solo home run by the Red Foxes' Gabrielle Kelliher tied the game at one, and Marist took the lead on a throwing error, which allowed one runner to cross home plate. MC's third and final run of the inning came on an RBI single, and after the top of the third, the Red Foxes led, 3-1.

The Runnin' Bulldogs got a pair of runners in scoring position in the fourth – Katie Stettler and Booth – but were unable to chip away at Marist's lead.

Stettler walked and stole second to start the inning. When Booth singled, Stettler was thrown out a third. Booth then stole her second bag of the game but was stranded at the end of the frame.

The sixth and seventh innings again saw Gardner-Webb have chances to take the lead.

Prebble started off the sixth with a single and found herself standing at second when Rachel Cumiskey reached base on an error by Marist's shortstop. Two straight outs ended the inning and both runners were stranded on base.

Down to their last three outs, the Runnin' Bulldogs put the pressure on the Red Foxes in the bottom of the seventh.

Back-to-back singles by Stettler and Trinity Sterrett gave GWU runners on first and second with no outs. Booth's groundout moved the duo into scoring position, and Prebble was intentionally walked, loading the bases for Kaylee Wacaster.

Wacaster hit a ground ball to the third baseman who stepped on third and ended the game, giving Marist a 3-1 victory.

Wark (8-5) pitched a complete game and gave up just one earned run. She surrendered eight hits and one walk, while striking out one batter. Megan Beiermeister (2-2) earned the win for Marist.

Booth and Stettler both recorded a multi-hit game, going 2-for-3. Prebble was 1-for-2 with an RBI.

The Runnin' Bulldogs will return to action at Brinkley Stadium on Tuesday, March 6, for a doubleheader against UNCW. Game one is scheduled for 4 p.m.