RADFORD, Va. – Gardner-Webb used a seven-run seventh inning to defeat the Campbell Fighting Camels, 11-5, in game one of the Big South Conference tournament.
Campbell (27-26) got on the board first with a solo shot to center field in the bottom of the first, but Gardner-Webb (29-27) would knot the score at one run a piece in the third.
With two out and nobody on in the top of the third,
Andria Booth hit her second infield single of the contest. After Booth successfully reached base,
Katie Stettler stepped up to the plate and doubled to right center field. Stettler's extra base hit allowed Booth to score from first base and tie the contest.
After
Sam Harrell pitched around an error and walk to end the third inning, Gardner-Webb loaded the bases to start the fourth thanks to three consecutive walks.
Annamarie Warley reached via a fielder's choice and
Maddi Johnson scored, while Cumiskey came home on a throwing error attempting to retire Warley. The two runs put Gardner-Webb in front, 3-1.
Campbell pulled within a run in the bottom of the fourth, but in the top of the following inning, the Runnin' Bulldogs would push their advantage back to two runs.
Katie Prebble singled down the left field line with one out and scored on Johnson's double to left center field, giving GWU a 4-2 lead after the top of the fifth inning.
The Fighting Camels retook the lead with a three-run home run in the bottom of the frame and led, 5-4, after five complete innings.
Lauren Huffman managed the 'Dogs only hit in the sixth, and
Ashley Wark entered to pitch for the 'Dogs in the bottom of the frame.
Wark retired Campbell in order and after six complete innings, Gardner-Webb began the inning down to its final three outs.
Stettler started the seventh inning with a single through the right side of the infield and scored on a double down the left field line by Prebble.
Prebble's RBI tied the game at five with no outs in the inning, and
Kaylee Wacaster broke the tie one batter later.
Wacaster's single gave GWU a 6-5 advantage over the Fighting Camels. After back-to-back walks, Huffman plated two runs with a single, extending the Runnin' Bulldogs' advantage to three runs, 8-5.
Madi Lewis' two-RBI double and Booth's fielder's choice allowed the final three Runnin' Bulldogs to score, and after the top of the inning, GWU led, 11-5.
Wark (17-16) earned the win, throwing two scoreless innings in relief. Harrell started the contest and threw five innings. Megan Richards (17-12) took the loss for Campbell.
At the plate, Prebble led Gardner-Webb with three hits, while Booth, Stettler and Johnson each recorded two. Huffman and Lewis were the Runnin' Bulldogs' RBI leaders with two each.
Gardner-Webb will play No. 1 seed Liberty tomorrow, Thursday, May 10, at 12 noon.
