CULLOWHEE, N.C. – Gardner-Webb Softball wrapped up their final nonconference slate of the 2021 season against Western Carolina on Wednesday night. Dropping both ends of the doubleheader at the Catamount Softball Complex. 
 
GAME INFORMATION
 
Scores: Gardner-Webb (Game One: 1, Game Two: 3), Western Carolina (Game One: 2, Game Two: 5)
Records: Gardner-Webb (5-26, 4-14 Big South), Western Carolina (20-21, 9-2 SoCon)
Location: Catamount Softball Complex
 
INSIDE THE BOXSCORES
 

• Leslie McNeil led the Runnin' Bulldogs at the plate by going 4-for-8 in the doubleheader.
• Brooke Perry hit her third home run of the season in today's first game, which is her 15^th homerun of all time.
• Tristen Horrell went 2-for-6 in today's action, with one of those hits being a double.
• Meredith Ferguson led the team in put outs with a total of 11 on the day.

 
 
HOW IT HAPPENED 
 
Game One: Western Carolina 2, Gardner-Webb 1
 
The Catamount's started things off early during their at-bat in the second inning as Kailey McNeil hit a home run over the center field fence to give Western Carolina the lead. 
 
In the fourth inning for Gardner-Webb, Brooke Perry belted a home run equalizer over the center field fence to make it a tie game between the Runnin' Bulldogs and the Catamounts.
 
Western Carolina managed to take back the lead in the fifth inning as Bailey Huneycutt hit a home run over the left center field fence. Huneycutt's home run was the eventual game winner for the Catamounts. 
 
 Game Two: Western Carolina 5, Gardner-Webb 3
 
In game two of today's doubleheader, Gardner-Webb got off to a hot start in an effort to turn things around. Leading off for the Dog's, Katie Mitchell reached on an error by the shortstop. Following Mitchell, Leslie McNeil reached on an error by the pitcher and Mitchell managed to sprint home on the throw to take an early lead. Weslyn Almond then hit a sacrifice bunt allowing McNeil to score, giving Gardner-Webb a 2-0 lead.
 
During Western Carolinas first at bat Perillo walked to first base, and then advanced to second on a GWU error, who then managed to score on an RBI single from the Catamounts to make it a 2-1 game. 
 
Kailey McNeil netted the equalizer for Western Carolina in the fourth inning, as she homered to left center. Luckily for GWU the following two batters were retired to end the inning. WCU managed to punch in three more runs to further secure their lead in the fifth inning, making it a 5-2 ballgame.
 
Perry struck out to start off the sixth inning, so with one out on the board Molly Montgomery walked to first, Ferguson then reached on a Western Carolina error. Horrell garnered a base hit to then load the bases. Abby Goodrum reached on a fielders choice, as WCU got the out at home. In an effort to build momentum with the bases loaded, the Dogs' scored on a wild pitch, but then Mitchell Struck out to end the sixth inning.
 
In the bottom of the sixth, Andrea Lyon went into the circle for Gardner-Webb and was able to hold off Western Carolina.
 
The Runnin' Bulldogs were unable to convert in the top of the seventh. As Mcneil flied out to center field, Almond fouled out to third base, and Lyon struck out for the third and final out of the game. 
 
UP NEXT
 
Gardner-Webb Softball will be back in action on Saturday, April 24^th as they take on USC Upstate in Spartanburg, S.C. The first matchup of the doubleheader is slated to start at 1:00 PM and will stream on ESPN+.