BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – Kaylee Wacaster hit a solo shot in the fourth inning to give Gardner-Webb a 4-2 lead, but the Longwood Lancers earned the come-from-behind victory, 5-4, on Sunday afternoon.
Gardner-Webb (24-18, 3-9 Big South) scored in the first when Autumn Owen doubled home Andria Booth who began the game with a single. Owen's RBI gave the 'Dogs a one-run lead, but it did not beyond the bottom of the first.
Longwood (24-13, 11-1 Big South) scored twice in the top of the second to take a lead of its own. A single and walk, both with two outs, gave the Lancers a pair of runners on, and a two-RBI double by Jessica Smith put the visitors in front.
Similar to the first inning, this time Longwood's lead would not last long as Gardner-Webb plated a pair in the bottom of the second to retake the lead, 3-2.
Meredith Ferguson began the second inning with a walk, and Lily Pressley singled with one out before Booth's base hit up the middle scored pinch runner Jenna Wacaster. Booth's RBI single tied the contest at two, and Weslyn Almond followed with an RBI single of her own to left field, giving the 'Dogs the lead.
Longwood's Sydney Backstrom intentionally walked Owen, which loaded the bases, but two straight popups ended the inning with Gardner-Webb plating only one run.
Brooke Perry allowed just a walk in the top of the fourth, and K. Wacaster extended the Runnin' Bulldogs' advantage to two runs, 4-2, with a solo home run over the left field fence.
Longwood began its comeback in the top of the fifth with back-to-back RBI doubles, both with no outs, plating runs and tying the contest.
Sydney Gay entered for the Lancers in the bottom of the frame and allowed a single to Booth – her third of the day – but got out of the inning and kept the game tied.
Reah Barger took over in the circle for Perry in the sixth and retired the first two batters. The Lancers were able to take advantage of Destiny Martinez's two-out base knock, and she moved to third on an errant throw attempting to catch her stealing second. Martinez scored on an RBI single by Alexis Wayland and Longwood took its first lead since the opening inning, 5-4.
The Runnin' Bulldogs got a two-out walk in the sixth, and Barger pitched around a double in the seventh, but the 'Dogs went down in order to end the game, and fell, 5-4, for the second straight game.
Gay (8-6) earned the win for the Lancers. She threw three innings in relief of Backstrom and surrendered one hit. Barger (5-4) took the loss for the second consecutive game. She threw two innings in relief of Perry and allowed three hits and one unearned run.
Booth led Gardner-Webb with three hits and an RBI with Almond, Owen and K. Wacaster also batting in runs. Wayland (3-for-4, 2 RBI) and Jessica Smith (1-for-3, 2 RBI) went a combined 4-for-7 with 4 RBI for the Lancers.
The Runnin' Bulldogs will continue Big South Conference action next week beginning with a three-game series at USC Upstate. The 'Dogs will battle the Spartans in a Wednesday doubleheader (4 and 6 p.m.) with the series set to conclude on Thursday, April 11 at 6 p.m.
