CHARLESTON, SC – Gardner-Webb could not complete the sweep of the Charleston Southern Bucs as the Bucs capitalized on an eight-run sixth inning to defeat the Runnin' Bulldogs, 10-3, on Saturday afternoon.
Gardner-Webb (28-23, 7-14 Big South) began the game with three runs in the top of the first inning for the third consecutive game.
After Andria Booth began the game with a walk, Weslyn Almond doubled her home, and with Almond in scoring position, Autumn Owen's RBI single up the middle made it a 2-0 score. Owen, who was named to the Schutt Sports/NFCA Top 25 Freshman of the Year watch list on Thursday, moved to third on a wild pitch and came home when Jenna Wacaster singled.
Following the top of the first, the Runnin' Bulldogs led by three runs, and Brooke Perry pitched around a one-out single to end the first.
Meredith Ferguson was the only Runnin' Bulldog to get into scoring position over the next two innings, and the Bucs pulled within a run, 3-2, in the bottom of the third.
With two on and two retired, Jade Gandara doubled up the middle to clear the bases, making it a one-run game in favor of Gardner-Webb.
The Runnin' Bulldogs left two stranded in the fifth as Owen and Kaylee Wacaster singled. Wacaster's base knock was her 200th career hit. In similar fashion, Charleston Southern stranded a pair in its half of the inning.
In the bottom of the sixth, the Bucs (17-33, 11-10 Big South) exploded for eight runs to take a seven-run lead over Gardner-Webb.
Two singles helped CSU threaten, and an error allowed the Bucs' first run to score. A two-RBI double and RBI single plated the Bucs next three runs of the inning, and at that point, they held a 6-3 lead.
With out, Gandara's RBI single, followed by a three-run homer by Caitlyn Emberson, gave Charleston Southern double-digit runs and extended the home squad's lead to 10-3.
Gardner-Webb managed just one base runner in the seventh, but despite the loss, the Runnin' Bulldogs still took the series from the Bucs, 2-1, thanks to Thursday's sweep.
Perry (17-11) threw five innings and surrendered seven runs, five of which were earned. She allowed nine hits and struck out just two. Reah Barger got the 'Dogs out of the sixth but not before the Bucs plated three additional runs. For Charleston Southern, Holly Clark (6-12) threw a complete game and surrendered three runs, all earned, while striking out seven.
Owen, the reigning Big South Freshman of the Week and three-time winner of that award, was the only Runnin' Bulldog to record a multi-hit game. She went 3-for-4 with an RBI.
Gardner-Webb will play its final series next week when it heads to Hampton, Va. to take on the Hampton Pirates. A doubleheader is scheduled for Saturday, April 27 at 1 p.m. with a solo game on Sunday, April 28 at 2 p.m.
