BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – Gardner-Webb softball used strong pitching and timely hitting to pick up a pair of wins on the first day of the Gardner-Webb/AmericInn Lodge & Suites Softball Tournament at Brinkley Stadium Friday afternoon.

The Runnin' Bulldogs (11-3) beat Northern Kentucky 1-0 in the opener and topped Eastern Kentucky 6-1 in the finale.

GAME ONE: Gardner-Webb 1, Northern Kentucky 0
Freshman Andrea Lyon hurled a gem, allowing just one hit in the first inning to the Norse.

After allowing a one-out walk in the second inning, Lyon retired 17 batters in a row to end the game. She fanned three and allowed just two base runners.
 
Kayleigh Nicholson hit a solo home run in the second inning to give Gardner-Webb the only offense it would need.

Abbey Goodrum and Weslyn Almond also had hits for Gardner-Webb in the win.
 
GAME TWO: Gardner-Webb 6, Eastern Illinois 1
Lyon gave Gardner-Webb the lead for good in the bottom of the first in the second game, belting a two-run home run to plate Autumn Owen for a 2-0 advantage.

Eastern Illinois answered in the top of the second inning with a home run by Kendyl McKeough to trim the GWU lead to just one run. 
 
Gardner-Webb got going again in the fourth, when Lauren Adam's triple plated Jenna Wacaster. Almond then drove home Adam with a base knock, before stealing home for a 5-1 lead.

Almond scored once more in the bottom of the sixth off an RBI single from Owen for the final margin.

Brooke Perry picked up the win, hurling a complete-game and allowing just one run on five hits. Perry struck out eight and walked three in a fine performance.

Owen went 3-for-3 at the plate and Almond had two hits to pace Gardner-Webb's eight-hit attack.

Mia Davis and McKeough each had two of Eastern Illinois' five hits in the game.

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The Runnin' Bulldogs will be back in action on Saturday, February 22 at 2:00 pm against Northern Kentucky and at 4:00 pm against Eastern Illinois.