BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – The Gardner-Webb softball team improved to 6-2 overall with a 5-1 win over Oakland and 12-4 defeat of Hartford on Saturday afternoon.
The games were played inside Brinkley Stadium on Saturday as the 'Dogs hosted the Runnin' Bulldog Softball Tournament Sponsored by Fairfield Inn & Suites.
Game One: Gardner-Webb 5, Oakland 1
The Oakland Golden Grizzles took an early 1-0 lead, getting on the scoreboard with a solo shot off the bat of Jamie Squires in the bottom of the second. The Grizzles maintained their one-run advantage until the bottom of the fifth.
In their half of the fifth, the Runnin' Bulldogs scored five runs off five hits and an error by the Golden Grizzles to take a 5-1 lead. All of Gardner-Webb's runs came with two outs.
With the bases loaded,
Kaylee Wacaster walked, sending home
Weslyn Almond and tying the game.
Autumn Owen was credited with batting in Gardner-Webb's second run, and
Brooke Perry gave the Runnin' Bulldogs a multi-run lead with a three-RBI double.
On the second pitch of her at-bat, Perry, who also started in the circle, smacked a ball into the gap in left-center field to score Owen, K. Wacaster and
Andria Booth. Perry's three-RBI hit made it 5-1 in favor of the 'Dogs.
In the circle, Perry allowed one hit over the final two innings, a single up the middle. She threw a complete game and allowed just one run on two hits. She struck out 11 and improved to 4-1 on the year. For Oakland, Haley Bartholomew took the loss. She pitched three innings and surrendered five runs (four earned).
At the plate, the 'Dogs recorded eight hits with Booth, Perry and
Jenna Wacaster leading the way with two hits each. Owen and Almond both went 1-for-3. Kelsie Swanson and Squires recorded hits for the Golden Grizzles.
Game Two: Gardner-Webb 12, Hartford 4 (5 innings)
Although the Runnin' Bulldogs took a 1-0 lead in the first inning, the momentum would turn against them as Hartford used the long ball to plate four runs. In the top of the second and third innings, the Hawks hit homers, with the first being a solo shot, and the second plating three runs.
The Hawks' lead did not last long, as Gardner-Webb scored four runs in its half of the third to re-take a one-run lead, 5-4.
A pair of triples were instrumental in Gardner-Webb regaining the lead. Booth led off with a three-base hit and scored when Almond grounded out.
Later in the inning, J. Wacaster hit a triple with two runners on, allowing both to score and tying the contest at four. Wacaster scored on the following at-bat when
Lauren Huffman singled up the middle. Huffman, who started both games at first base, gave Gardner-Webb the lead for good.
Freshman
Reah Barger entered in relief of
Laken Myers in the fourth and pitched two scoreless innings. Gardner-Webb would run-rule the Hawks with eight runs in the bottom of the fifth inning.
Back-to-back singles to start the inning put runners on first and second, and Almond doubled, allowing one run to score. After Booth drew a walk,
Annamarie Warley hit a double of her own, scoring two additional runs and moving Booth to third.
Following a pitching change, K. Wacaster walked to load the bases. Two batters later, Perry would enter the batter's box and record her only hit of the game, a three-RBI double that ended the game. Gardner-Webb won the shortened game, 12-4, and improved to 6-2 overall.
Myers (2-1) picked up her second win of the year. She pitched three innings and allowed four runs, three of which were earned. Hartford's Juilanna Kocenski took the loss and dropped to 0-2 overall. Kocenski allowed 11 of 12 runs in 4.1 innings of work.
At the plate, K. Wacaster had a perfect 3-for-3 day, while Booth went 3-for-4 with four runs scored. Harford's Danielle Rocheleau went 2-for-3 with three RBI.
Gardner-Webb will be idle on day three of the Runnin' Bulldog Softball Tournament Sponsored by Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott. They will return to action on Tuesday, February 19 for a home doubleheader against North Carolina A&T. First pitch is set for 2 p.m.
