RADFORD, Va. – The Runnin' Bulldogs' three-game winning streak was snapped by the Radford Highlanders Saturday afternoon in Radford, Va. The Highlanders swept Gardner-Webb, 8-1 and 13-0 respectively.
Game One: Radford 8, Gardner-Webb 1
Katie Prebble hit her 22
nd home run of the season in the top of the third inning, but it was the only run Gardner-Webb would manage over the seven inning contest.
The 'Dogs (27-21, 8-8 Big South Conference) did get a runner in scoring position in the first, as
Katie Stettler singled and stole second, but she was left stranded.
The game remained scoreless until Radford (25-15, 7-6 BSC) plated four runs in the bottom of the second. Back to-back singles gave the Highlanders two runners on base, and a two-RBI double put the host team in front, 2-0.
Radford extended its lead to 4-0 when an error by the Gardner-Webb defense allowed two more runs to score, both with two outs.
In the third,
Andria Booth singled, but she was the lone base runner for the Runnin' Bulldogs in the inning.
A pair of home runs for the Highlanders in the bottom of the inning – both to center field – put Radford in front 7-0, but Prebble smashed a solo home run in the top of the fourth to put Gardner-Webb on the scoreboard.
Over the final three innings, the 'Dogs managed only one additional hit, a single by
Meredith Ferguson. Radford scored its final run of the contest in the bottom of the sixth, and was victorious, 8-1.
Ashley Wark (16-12) took the loss for GWU, spending two innings in the circle. Wark gave up six runs, four of which were earned.
Laken Myers threw four innings in relief, allowing just two runs (one earned) and striking out three.
Kayla Huffman (8-4) pitched a complete game for Radford. She allowed just one run on four hits and struck out seven.
At the plate, Stettler, Booth, Prebble and Ferguson all recorded hits for the Runnin' Bulldogs.
Game Two: Radford 13, Gardner-Webb 0 (5 innings)
Game two was complete after five innings as Gardner-Webb fell, 13-0.
Booth began game two with a single but was thrown out trying to steal second. Although Prebble drew a two-out walk, a strikeout ended the inning.
Radford scored its first run in the bottom of the first and only four Gardner-Webb batters came to the plate in the top of the second.
After the Highlanders added three runs in the second, the 'Dogs were again held scoreless in the top of the third.
Radford scored eight runs on six hits in the bottom of the inning to take a 12-0 lead. A pair of home runs accounted for four of the runs, while a two-run double, along with a two-run single, plated the other four runs for RU.
In the top of the fourth,
Lauren Huffman got into scoring position, but was left stranded. The Highlanders extended their lead to 13 runs in the bottom of the inning, and the game was completed after five innings of play.
Sam Harrell (4-5) pitched 2.1 innings and took the loss. Abby Morrow (16-9) received the win.
Johnson, Huffman and Stettler were all 1-for-2 at the plate, while Booth went 1-for-3.
The series will conclude at 1 p.m. tomorrow and can be viewed on the Big South Network.