ROCK HILL, S.C. – The Gardner-Webb softball program returned to Big South Conference play on Friday afternoon and split with the Winthrop Eagles. The 'Dogs took game one, 3-2, but fell in the final game of the day, 8-5.
Game One: Gardner-Webb 3, Winthrop 2
The opening game of the afternoon doubleheader was scoreless until the bottom of the third, when Winthrop plated one run, but
Kaylee Wacaster belted a two-run shot in the top of the fourth to give the 'Runnin' Bulldogs a 2-1 lead.
The Eagles (15-22, 5-8 Big South Conference) later used one hit and an error by the Gardner-Webb defense to tie the contest at two.
Both teams went down in order in the fifth, and in the top of the sixth, the Runnin' Bulldogs (23-18, 7-6 BSC) managed a single off the bat of
Andria Booth, but failed to score.
After
Ashley Wark retired the Eagles in order in the bottom of the sixth,
Rachel Cumiskey put Gardner-Webb in front.
With one out, Cumiskey hit the second pitch of her at-bat over the left field wall, giving the Runnin' Bulldogs a 3-2 lead.
Wark (15-10) retired Winthrop in order for the third straight inning to end the game and give GWU the one-run victory. The senior pitched a complete game and gave up three earned runs on three hits. Kiley Majette (9-11) received the loss for Winthrop.
At the plate, Booth, Wacaster and Cumiskey each recorded a hit.
Game Two: Winthrop 8, Gardner-Webb 5
Game two was a high-scoring affair as the two teams combined for 13 runs.
Weslyn Almond batted in the first run for the Runnin' Bulldogs on a sacrifice fly in the top of the second, but the lead was short lived as Winthrop pulled in front, 2-1, in its half of the inning.
Katie Prebble gave Gardner-Webb (23-19. 7-7 BSC) its second lead of game two via a two-run home run, but once again the Eagles scored in their half of the inning.
Winthrop (16-22, 6-8 BSC) took a 5-3 lead off a three-run home run after three complete innings.
Gardner-Webb pulled within a run in the top of the fifth off a sacrifice fly by Prebble, but the Eagles scored three times in the bottom of the inning.
The hosts used three walks, a single and an error to take an 8-4, and they only allowed Gardner-Webb to score once more over the remaining innings.
Booth's RBI single in the top of the sixth scored pinch runner
Lily Pressley, but the 'Dogs could not get any closer.
In the top of the seventh, Gardner-Webb threatened after Cumiskey and
Maddi Johnson recorded back-to-back two-out hits. Cumiskey doubled to center field, while Johnson singled, giving the 'Dogs a pair of runners on the base paths.
A fly out ended the contest, as Winthrop evened the series at one game apiece thanks to its 8-5 victory.
Winthrop's Madyson Watson (5-5) earned her fifth win of the year, throwing a complete game. She gave up five earned runs and struck out four.
Sam Harrell (3-4) took the loss for Gardner-Webb. Harrell spent 2.1 innings in the circle and surrendered four runs (three earned) on four hits.
Laken Myers pitched the remainder of the game in relief. Myers also gave up four total runs, three of which were earned.
At the plate, Booth led the Runnin' Bulldogs with a 3-for-3 day. She recorded one RBI and one run scored.
Gardner-Webb will look to secure the series victory tomorrow, Saturday, April 14, at 11:30 a.m.
