DURHAM, N.C. – The Gardner-Webb softball team expanded its win streak to 16 games, earning a pair of wins against Howard in the opening day of the Duke University Softball Tournament.
The Runnin' Bulldogs improve to 22-3 on the season, defeating the Bison by a 9-1 score in the opener, and earned a 12-6 decision in the nightcap.
Game One: Gardner-Webb 9, Howard 1
Howard claimed an early 1-0 lead in the top of the second inning on a solo home run by Kalita Dennis, but GWU would answer in the bottom half of the frame on a RBI single by
Weslyn Almond that allowed two runs to score.
Gardner-Webb broke the contest open in the fourth, plating three runs. Abby Goodrum drove one run in on a RBI double to center field, and Goodrum and Almond would each steal home to give the 'Dogs a 5-1 advantage.
The Runnin' Bulldogs scored four runs in the fifth inning. Goodrum reached on an error, scoring
Kayleigh Nicholson, followed by a two-RBI single by Almond and a RBI single by
Trinity Sterrett to seal the contest at 9-1.
Brooke Perry (10-2) earned the win from the circle for GWU, fanning seven batters. Raye Thomas (0-8) took her eighth loss of the season for the Bison.
Game Two: Gardner-Webb 12, Howard 6
The Runnin' Bulldogs scored nine unanswered runs to rally for a 12-6 win over Howard in Friday's nightcap.
Gardner-Webb jumped out to an early lead, with Owen blasting a three-run shot to right field in the top of the first inning.
Howard battled back with six unanswered runs, getting on the board in the second on a RBI double by Aguilasocho. In the third, a trio of bases-loaded walks gave the Bison a 4-3 lead, and in the fifth, runs scored on a RBI fielder's choice by Kalita Dennis and sacrifice fly by Taylor Ferguson to set the score at 6-3.
The Runnin' Bulldogs began to battle back in the sixth inning. A pair or runs scored as
Molly Montgomery was able to reach on a fielding error, followed by a two-run double by Almond to put GWU back on top by a 7-6 score.
Brooke Perry drove in one on a RBI double, followed by a
Andrea Lyon RBI knock put the 'Dogs on top by a 9-6 margin, and additional runs scored as Perry crossed the plate on a wild pitch and a RBI double by
Jenna Wacaster to set the score at 11-6.
An additional run was scored in the seventh as Almond was able to scoot across home plate on a passed ball.
Laken Myers earned the win for the Runnin' Bulldogs, improving to 4-1 on the season.
Gardner-Webb returns to action tomorrow at the 2020 Duke Invitational Softball Tournament taking on Lafayette at 7:30 pm. The game will be streamed live on ESPN 3.
