BOILING SPRINGS – Gardner-Webb ran its win streak to 13 games on Saturday, shutting out Furman in the first game of the day, 2-0, and holding off Harvard for a 4-2 win.
Brooke Perry improved to 9-2 on the season with a complete game in the opener, out-dueling Furman's Bailey Tanner in the circle. Perry allowed just two hits in the gem, striking out seven and working around five walks.
Gardner-Webb (19-3) got all the offense it would need in the third, as
Weslyn Almond scooted home after a throwing error for a 1-0 lead.
Kayleigh Nicholson doubled home a run in the fourth, plating Perry for what would be the final margin.
Perry struck out two batters, including the final one she faced, in the seventh to seal the win.
Gardner-Webb collected four hits in the win, with
Trinity Sterrett,
Autumn Owen, Perry and Nicholson getting those base knocks. Both Perry and Nicholson had doubles.
GAME TWO: Gardner-Webb 4, Harvard 2
The Runnin' Bulldogs got another complete-game pitching performance to cap another great day, as
Laken Myers went the distance to beat Harvard.
Myers scattered six hits and allowed just one earned run with five strikeouts.
Gardner-Webb seized an early lead and held on, plating three runs in the bottom of the first.
Almond led off the inning with a bunt single and quickly moved to second on a hit by Sterrett. A walk to Owen loaded the bases and
Andrea Lyon gave Gardner-Webb a 1-0 lead with a sacrifice fly to center field.
Perry stepped into a two-run single moments later, driving home Sterrett and Owen for a 3-0 margin. The Runnin' Bulldogs loaded the bases again when Nicholson singled and
Jenna Wacaster was plunked – but Harvard worked out of the jam.
The Crimson used a throwing error from the circle to plate an unearned run in the third, then cut the lead to 3-2 in the top of the fifth when Lauren Bobowski belted a solo home run with two out in the inning.
Wacaster started a rally for Gardner-Webb in the bottom half of the fifth, getting a one out single to put a runner on board.
Ashlee Baker followed with another single and Almond drive home Wacaster with a two-out hit for some insurance.
Myers made the score stand, retiring Harvard in order in the sixth and the seventh for the win.
Gardner-Webb collected 11 hits in the game, led by Almond (3-for-4, RBI), Owen (2-for-3) and Wacaster (2-for-3).
Harvard had six hits, with Bobowski leading the way (2-for-4, HR, RBI).
Gardner-Webb will be back in action on Sunday at Noon. The game will stream live on ESPN+.
