SPARTANBURG, SC – The Gardner-Webb Runnin' Bulldogs dropped both ends of a doubleheader to the USC Upstate Spartans on Wednesday, falling 2-1 in game one and 6-3 in game two.

Game One: Gardner-Webb 1, USC Upstate 2

USC Upstate took a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first, and Gardner-Webb pulled within a run off Autumn Owen's solo shot in the third, but a pitcher's duel ended in favor of the Spartans.

Gardner-Webb (24-19, 3-10 Big South) stranded a pair of runners in the top of the first, and the Spartans took the lead off a two-run home run in its half of the inning.

After allowing two hits in the opening inning, Brooke Perry allowed just one additional hit over the final six innings – a double in the bottom of the sixth, but the Runnin' Bulldogs could not give her more than one run of support.

Gardner-Webb's second hit of the contest came off the bat of Andria Booth in the fifth inning. Booth singled to left field with one out but made it no further. The 'Dogs got their third hit of the game in the top of the following inning when Perry doubled, but once again left a runner stranded.

USC Upstate (32-10, 12-4 Big South) posed a threat to Perry just one time in the final six innings. In the bottom of the sixth, Alyssa Oakes walked but was thrown out at second. With one out, Brittany Case doubled. The Spartans loaded the bases with two outs, but Perry got out of the inning with no damage done.

The Runnin' Bulldogs went down in order in their half of the seventh as Christina Biggerstaff picked up her league best 20^th win of the season. Biggerstaff threw a complete game and surrendered just three hits and one earned run. She struck out eight and walked three.

Perry dropped to 14-10 overall despite giving up two runs (both earned) and three hits. She struck out three but walked five.

Perry, Booth and Owen recorded hits for Gardner-Webb. The 'Dogs managed to get only two runners in scoring position. Oakes, Case and Megan Obier got hits for the Spartans with Case and Oakes' hits going for extra bases.

Game Two: Gardner-Webb 2, USC Upstate 6

USC Upstate began game two in the same way as game one – with two runs in the bottom of the first inning. This time, it was a two-RBI single by Alicia Dorgan that gave the Spartans an early advantage.

The Spartans (33-10, 13-4 Big South) scored their third run in the bottom of the third, but Gardner-Webb would cut into their lead with two runs in the top of the fourth.

After not recording any hits in the first three innings, Booth and K. Wacaster both singled in the fourth. Booth began the inning with a base knock and advanced to second on a wild pitch before Weslyn Almond was hit by a pitch.

Owen was the second consecutive Runnin' Bulldog to take first base via being hit by a pitch, and with the bases loaded, K. Wacaster singled to center field, scoring Booth. A passed ball eventually allowed Almond to score, and although Gardner-Webb left two runners stranded, it was a one-run contest after the top of the fourth.

Reah Barger held Upstate scoreless in its half of the fourth, but the Spartans scored three runs in the bottom of the fifth to push its lead to four runs, 6-2.

Gardner-Webb (24-20, 3-11 Big South) managed a single in the sixth, and could not muster a comeback in the seventh.

With one out, Annamarie Warley was hit by a pitch, and Jenna Wacaster singled, but a double play ended the game with USC Upstate earning the 6-2 victory to improve to 23-1 on its home field.

Barger (5-5) took the loss. She allowed six runs on eight hits and struck out three. The Spartans' Erin Hill improved to 12-7 in a complete-game effort. She surrendered just two runs while striking out eight and walking none.

Four players – Almond, Booth, J. Wacaster and K. Wacaster – recorded base hits for the Runnin' Bulldogs, and K. Wacaster was credited with GWU's lone RBI. Dorgan (2-for-3, 2 RBI) and Case (1-for-3, 2 RBI) led the Spartans at the sweep.

Gardner-Webb will look to avoid the sweep and pick up its 25^th win of the season in the third and final game of the Big South Conference series tomorrow. First pitch between the Runnin' Bulldogs and Spartans is set for 6 p.m. from Cyrill Stadium.