BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – Behind Kaylee Wacaster's four-hit and six-RBI day, Gardner-Webb took the series from Charleston Southern, winning the rubber match, 19-8, after falling in the first game Sunday afternoon, 9-1.
Game One: Charleston Southern 9, Gardner-Webb 1
After the second game of the series was halted yesterday due to rain with Charleston Southern (25-18, 6-5 BSC) leading 7-0 in the third, the contest resumed at 2 p.m. on an overcast Sunday afternoon.
The Runnin' Bulldogs did manage a run in the bottom of the fifth, but it was too-little-too-late as the Buccaneers of CSU had already plated nine runs.
Gardner-Webb's (21-18, 5-6 BSC) run came when Maddi Johnson singled, moving Wacaster to third. Wacaster advanced home on a throwing error to put the 'Dogs on the board.
One run was the all the Runnin' Bulldogs could manage, and they fell, 9-1, after five innings.
Laken Myers (4-5) took the loss, giving up nine runs (four earned) in five innings of work. Myers struck out a pair of batters. Charleston Southern's Nicole Ayala (1-1) pitched 2.1 innings of no-hit ball and earned the victory.
Game Two: Gardner-Webb 18, Charleston Southern 9 (5 innings)
The roles were reversed in the final game of the series as Gardner-Webb run-ruled the Bucs, 19-8, in just five innings.
Gardner-Webb scored 13 runs over the first three innings to take a commanding 13-1 lead over the visitors.
It all started when Katie Prebble's RBI double scored Andria Booth and moved Katie Stettler to third. Stettler then scored on a wild pitch before K. Wacaster doubled, scoring Prebble. Wacaster's hit made the score 3-0 in favor of the Runnin' Bulldogs.
Johnson was the next batter to bat in a run, doubling down the right field line and scoring Wacaster.
After Ashley Wark surrendered just one hit in the top of the second, Gardner-Webb continued its scoring by plating five runs in the bottom of the inning.
Andria Booth led off the frame with a single and stole second, but a pair of errant throws allowed her to advance home, extending the Runnin' Bulldogs' lead to 5-0.
Stettler followed with a double before Prebble hit her 18th home run of the season, a two-run shot to center field, which gave the 'Dogs a seven-run lead.
With the bases empty, K. Wacaster singled and after stealing second was able to take third on a groundout. Weslyn Almond's RBI double plated Wacaster, and Almond crossed home plate on a single off the bat of Jenna Wacaster.
The younger Wacaster's hit made it a 9-0 score after two complete innings.
A solo shot from Charleston Southern's Caitlyn Emberson took away thoughts of a shutout, but Gardner-Webb took a 12-run lead in the bottom of the third.
Booth took four straight balls to open the inning and then made her way around the bases on Stettler's double to left center field.
After Prebble drew a walk, Stettler was batted in when K. Wacaster singled. Wacaster advanced to second on the throw, while Prebble moved to third and stood just 60 feet from home.
An RBI single and groundout scored the final two Gardner-Webb runs of the inning, and after three innings, the home team held a 13-1 lead, but Charleston Southern's bats came to life in the top of the fourth.
A hit batter, walk and infield hit loaded the bases for the Bucs, who took advantage of the situation. An RBI single, throwing error and fielder's choice allowed the Bucs to score three runs, but a three-RBI double did the most damage and pulled CSU within six runs, 13-7.
The Runnin' Bulldogs were held scoreless in the bottom of the inning, and the Bucs made it a 13-9 contest.
In the bottom of the fifth, Gardner-Webb scored five runs, ending the contest and earning its 22nd victory off the year.
Booth doubled up the middle scoring Almond for the first run of the inning.
After Booth advanced to third on a wild pitch, back-to-back walks loaded the bases for K. Wacaster
On the second pitch she saw, the junior outfielder belted a ball over the left field fence for a grand slam. Her fifth home run of the year gave the 'Dogs the 18-9 victory.
Wark (14-10) earned the win, throwing 4.1 innings and giving up nine runs (five earned). She struck out two and a walked a pair. Sam Harrell pitched 0.2 innings in relief and surrendered only a walk. Alyssa Heinrich (7-2) received the loss, completing just one inning and allowing nine runs (all earned).
At the plate, three 'Dogs hit safely in all their plate appearances. Booth and Stettler were both 4-for-4 with an RBI, while Prebble went 2-for-2 with three RBIs and three walks. K. Wacaster went 4-for-5 and led Gardner-Webb with six RBIs.
The Runnin' Bulldogs will return to action next weekend, Friday, April 13 and Saturday, April 14 at Winthrop. A doubleheader is set to begin at 2 p.m. on Friday, with the last game of the series is scheduled for Saturday at 11:30 a.m.
