ROCK HILL, S.C. – The Gardner-Webb Runnin' Bulldogs earned the series victory over the Winthrop Eagles with a 7-5 win on Saturday.

After recording just one hit in the opening inning, Gardner-Webb (24-19, 8-7 BSC) took a 2-0 lead in the top of the second, using three consecutive doubles to score a pair of runs.

Lauren Huffman doubled with one out and was replaced by pinch runner Allie Barrick. Barrick scored when Weslyn Almond smacked her sixth two-base hit of the season to left field. 

Almond crossed home plate of a double to center field by Jenna Wacaster, which gave the Runnin' Bulldogs a 2-0 advantage after the top of the second.

In the following inning, Katie Stettler walked and stole second to give Gardner-Webb a runner in scoring position. Stettler was able to reach third on an error by the catcher with Katie Prebble at the plate.

On the seventh pitch of her at-bat, Prebble blasted the ball over the left field fence. Her 20^th home run of the year extended Gardner-Webb's lead to 4-0.

Trinity Sterrett and Prebble singled in the top of the fourth, but the 'Dogs were unable to send either player home.

Winthrop (16-23, 6-9 BSC) got on the scoreboard in the bottom of the inning thanks to a two-run home run, which cut the Runnin' Bulldogs' lead to 4-2 after four complete innings.

The 'Dogs scored three runs in the top of the fifth. After starting the inning with back-to-back walks, Maddi Johnson pinch hit and hit the first pitch she saw over the fence in left center field. Johnson's first home run of the year gave GWU a 7-2 lead.

The Eagles made it a three-run game, 7-4, after its second two-run home run of the game. Winthrop then loaded the bases but a hard hit grounder to J. Wacaster got the Runnin' Bulldogs out of the inning.

Gardner-Webb was held scoreless in the sixth, and Winthrop pulled within a pair of runs in the bottom of the inning, but Sam Harrell, who came on in relief of Ashley Wark, limited the damage.

After the 'Dogs went down in order in the top of the seventh, Harrell returned to the circle and preserved the 7-5 win for Gardner-Webb.

Wark (16-10) threw five innings and gave up five earned runs en route to her 16^th win of the year. Harrell threw the final two innings in relief and did not surrender a run.

At the plate, Prebble and Kaylee Wacaster both went 2-for-4, and Prebble batted in two runs.

The Runnin' Bulldogs will return to action next Wednesday, April 18, against the Charlotte 49ers. Game one of the non-conference doubleheader is set for 4 p.m. from Boiling Springs, N.C.