BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – Seven players batted in a single run, and Brooke Perry batted in five as the Gardner-Webb Runnin' Bulldogs defeated the Furman Paladins, 12-2, in a five-inning contest to open the season.

Gardner-Webb (1-0) used an eight-run first inning to soundly defeat the Paladins. Facing freshman pitcher Mackense Greico, the Runnin' Bulldogs collected two hits and drew seven walks during the opening inning. The 'Dogs also batted around and scored all runs with two outs.

With two outs, Autumn Owen and Perry singled and both players advanced a base on a wild pitch. Jenna Wacaster drew a base on balls to load the bases and Weslyn Almond was credited with the first RBI of the season with Callie Thornton also drawing a walk and receiving an RBI.

Following an RBI fielder's choice by Meredith Ferguson, which made it 3-0 in favor of the Runnin' Bullogs, five consecutive walks with the bases loaded gave the 'Dogs an 8-0 lead before Furman was able to get out of the inning.

The Paladins (0-2) got a runner in scoring position in the second, but she was left stranded. Furman plated two runs the following inning with three consecutive singles loading the bases for Marissa Guimbarda. Guimbarda's two-RBI double made it a six-run contest, 8-2, in Gardner-Webb's favor.

In the bottom of the third frame, Annamarie Warley's infield single was sandwiched between two walks, and the bases were loaded for Perry. Perry, who also started in the circle for the Runnin' Bullldogs, smashed the ball over the right field fence for her first career grand slam in a GWU uniform.

Perry  put the 'Dogs up 12-2 after three innings and would induce a double play to get out of the fourth before retiring the side in order in the top of the fifth, as GWU earned its first win of the year. The contest was called after five innings due to Gardner-Webb leading by more than eight runs.

"It was great to get in the circle and see all of our effort in practice play out on the field," said Perry. "I knew I had to do something (when I came up to the plate). She threw a curve, and I was able to hit a grand slam. Our team has been working hard in practice and focusing on working together as a unit. It all came together today."

Perry went 2-for-2 at the plate and had a team-high five RBI. Owen and Warley also recorded hits for the Runnin' Bullodgs. Gardner-Webb drew 10 walks as a squad.

Perry (1-0) earned the win, throwing a complete game and giving up just two runs on five hits. Furman's Greico (0-1) was credited with the loss. She gave up four hits and walked 10 batters which led to 12 earned runs.

Gardner-Webb will return to action tomorrow, Saturday February 9, with a pair of games. The Runnin' Bulldogs will battle George Washington at 2 p.m. and Georgetown at 4 p.m. on day two of the Gardner-Webb University/Fairfield Inn and Suites by Marriott Tournament.