BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – Following a tough 14-0 defeat to the Loyola University Chicago Ramblers, Gardner-Webb shutout Sacred Heart, 18-0, to go split the twinbill on Friday at Brinkley Stadium.
Game One: Loyola Chicago 14, Gardner-Webb 0
It was a pitcher's duel early in Gardner-Webb's first contest with each pitcher allowing just one base runner through the first two innings.
Loyola managed just a leadoff walk in the top of the third, and Gardner-Webb would get a pair in scoring position in its half of the frame.
After
Weslyn Almond singled and
Andria Booth walked, the two runners would each advance. Almond would steal third, while Booth advanced on the throw.
Kaylee Wacaster then drew a walk to load the bases, but a groundout ended any hopes of runs for the Runnin' Bulldogs.
Things were quiet in the fourth inning, but the Ramblers of Loyola University Chicago took a five-run lead in the fifth. An error by Almond allowed the first run to score, while a two-RBI triple and two-run home run gave the visitors a 5-0 lead.
After Gardner-Webb held the Ramblers scoreless in the sixth, Loyola added nine runs to its total in the top of the seventh. The Ramblers took advantage of an RBI single and bases loaded walk to score two runs before five runs off an RBI single, two-RBI double and a two-RBI single respectively. With a 12-0 lead, Loyola's final two runs came off an error by the GWU defense and an RBI double.
The Runnin' Bulldogs were unable to battle back in the final half of the seventh, as they went down in order.
Loyola's Kiley Jones improved to 4-0 on the year and allowed just two hits in a complete game shutout.
Laken Myers (1-1) took the loss. The sophomore threw 5.1 innings and gave up six runs but just one earned run.
Game Two: Gardner-Webb 18, Sacred Heart 0 (5 innings)
After managing only two hits in the opening game of the day, Gardner-Webb scored an impressive 18 runs in five innings, shutting out the Sacred Heart Pioneers.
It all started in the third inning for the Runnin' Bulldogs. With one out and Almond on base,
Andria Booth ran out an infield single and advanced to third on a throwing error, allowing Almond to score Gardner-Webb's first run of the game.
The next batter to step into the box was senior Annamarie Warely, and she proceeded to crush a ball over the fence in left field. Warley's two-RBI shot put the 'Dogs up 3-0.
Pitcher
Brooke Perry helped her own cause with an RBI double in the same inning before
Jenna Wacaster's RBI base hit made it 6-0 in favor of the Runnin' Bulldogs.
Defensive lapses proved problematic for Sacred Heart in the third, as the Runnin' Bulldogs next three runs scored thanks to errors. Gardner-Webb's final run of the inning remarkably happened when
Kaylee Wacaster lined out, and Almond caught the defense not paying attention and trotted home. Almond's run gave the 'Dogs double-digits on the scoreboard and a sizeable 10-0 lead.
After Perry shutout down the Pioneers in the top of the fourth, the Runnin' Bulldogs would tack on eight more runs in the bottom of the inning. Six of the runs came home runs.
Following a leadoff walk,
Jenna Wacaster homered over the left field fence, making it a 12-0 score. After two additional walks, Warley would hammer a ball into left field for a two-RBI double.
Three batters later, Perry once again helped herself. The redshirt sophomore from Clemmons, N.C. smashed a ball over the left field fence for a grand slam, and proceeded to strike out the side in the top of the fifth as Gardner-Webb cruised to an 18-0 win.
Perry threw a two-hit shutout and fanned 10 to improve to 3-1 on the year. She also batted in six of Gardner-Webb's 18 runs with a 2-for-4 day at the plate. Sacred Heart's Kristen McCall took the loss. McCall threw three innings and surrendered 11 runs (six earned) on seven hits and three walks. She struck out four.
Gardner-Webb will return to action at 12 noon and 2 p.m. on day two of the Runnin' Bulldog Softball Tournament Sponsored by Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott. The 'Dogs will battle Oakland at noon and Hartford at 2 p.m.
