Radford, Va. – The Gardner-Webb softball team fell to the Radford Highlanders, 10-1, on Sunday afternoon as Radford completed the series sweep.
The Runnin' Bulldogs (27-23, 8-10 Big South Conference) scored their lone run of the game in the top of the fourth, while the Highlanders (27-15, 9-6 BSC) used scored eight runs in the second inning en route to the victory.
Katie Prebble recorded Gardner-Webb's first hit of the game in the top of the opening inning, but a groundout left the freshman stranded.
Ashley Wark retired Radford in order in the bottom half of the first, but Gardner-Webb was unable to take the lead in the top of the second, despite leadoff batter
Lauren Huffman reaching via an error by the Highlanders defense.
Radford's bats came alive in the bottom of the second, as the Highlanders hit four singles and a double. The home team also took advantage of two walks and a pair of errors by the Gardner-Webb defense to take an 8-0 lead.
Radford scored its final two runs of the contest in the bottom of the third, pushing its lead to 10-0, but the Runnin' Bulldogs got on the scoreboard in the fourth.
Prebble drew a leadoff walk, and
Kaylee Wacaster reached base on a fielder's choice to start the inning. An errant throw by Radford's Abby Morrow allowed Prebble to safely reach second.
After Huffman reached via a fielder's choice,
Maddi Johnson groundout out but got an RBI in the process, scoring Prebble.
After four innings, the 'Dogs trailed, 10-1.
Radford managed only a one-out single in the bottom of the fourth, and Gardner-Webb loaded the bases in the top of the following inning.
Jenna Wacaster led off the fifth with a single, and
Lily Pressley walked, giving GWU two runners on and nobody out.
Andria Booth reached on a fielder's choice as J. Wacaster was retired at third, and after a lineout, Prebble was walked for the second time.
With the bases full, Radford managed to get out of the inning via a pop up, and the Runnin' Bulldogs were defeated, 10-1, in five innings.
Wark (16-13) pitched two innings and gave up eight runs (seven earned) on five hits, receiving the loss.
Madi Lewis threw the final two innings in relief. Abby Morrow (17-9) threw three innings and gave up just one hit for the Highlanders.
Prebble and J. Wacaster were the only Gardner-Webb batters to record hits.
The Runnin' Bulldogs will look to get back in the win column when they travel to Appalachian State for a non-conference doubleheader on Wednesday, April 25. First pitch is set for 3 p.m. from Boone, N.C.
