ROCK HILL, SC – Andria Booth scored both runs in game one to lift the Runnin' Bulldogs over the Winthrop Eagles, 2-1, but the Eagles took game two by a 9-1 score as the two teams split the doubleheader.
Game One: Gardner-Webb 2, Winthrop 1 (8 innings)
Brooke Perry threw all eight innings and allowed just three hits, while Andria Booth scored two runs, including one on a passed ball in the eighth inning, and the 'Dogs earned the 2-1 victory in extra innings.
To start the game, Booth reached on an error and scored following Annamarie Warley's single.
Facing a full count, Warley smacked a ball through the right side of the infield and advanced to second on the throw attempting to get Booth out at third. Booth scored on the errant throw by the right fielder to give GWU a 1-0 lead.
Gardner-Webb did not manage a base runner in the second and third innings, but got runners on first and third in the fourth. Winthrop's Kiley Majette got out of the jam, and the Eagles still trailed by a single run.
Perry did not allow a hit through 4.2 innings, but surrendered a single to the Eagles' Ansley Gilreath. The following batter, Blake Wallert, doubled, but Perry managed to get out of the inning and hold Winthrop scoreless.
The Eagles tied the game at one in the bottom of the sixth with a two-out RBI triple, and both teams went down in order in the seventh.
Extra innings began with Booth legging out an infield single. She proceeded to steal second and a throw into center field allowed her to take third. Both scored on a passed ball with one out, and following the top of the eighth, Gardner-Webb held a 2-1 lead.
Winthrop went down in order in the bottom of the frame as Perry improved to 13-6 on the year with a complete-game effort. Majette took the loss and fell to 4-10 overall. She also threw all eight innings, allowing just three hits and two unearned runs while striking out eight.
Booth, Warley, and Jenna Wacaster accounted for Gardner-Webb's hits. Brooke Ellison led the Eagles, going 1-for-3 with an RBI.
Game Two: Gardner-Webb 1, Winthrop 9 (5 innings)
The Runnin' Bulldogs scored their lone run of the nightcap in the first inning, but Winthrop earned the 9-1 win in five innings.
Booth began the game with a single and stole second but exited after the steal. Pinch runner Lily Pressley came around to score when Autumn Owen singled, and Gardner-Webb took the early lead.
Winthrop took the lead in the bottom of the second with a two-RBI single, and Gardner-Webb was unable to turn the tide.
After the 'Dogs went down in order in the third, Winthrop scored three runs – one via a solo home run – and two on an RBI single by Madyson Watson – to extend its advantage to 5-1.
Gardner-Webb left both Owen and J.Wacaster stranded after the duo began the top of the fourth with back-to-back singles, and Winthrop plated its sixth run in its half of the inning.
The Runnin' Bulldogs got only an infield single from Pressley in the fifth, and the Eagles' bats continued to stay hot in the bottom of the frame.
Two home runs sealed the deal for Winthrop as Walert hit a solo shot and Watson homered with one on, giving the Eagles the 9-1 win in just five innings.
In addition to her four RBI, Watson also earned the win for Winthrop. Laken Myers (5-5) took the loss. Myers spent 2.1 innings in the circle and surrendered five runs (three earned). Reah Barger pitched the final 1.2 in relief and allowed four runs, two of which were earned.
Owen (2-for-2, RBI) led Gardner-Webb at the plate.
Gardner-Webb is now 23-12 overall and 2-3 in Big South play. Winthrop 14-16 and 3-5 in league action.
The two teams will play the rubber match tomorrow at 1 p.m. in Rock Hill, SC. The game can be seen live on ESPN+.
