BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – Softball opened their season with a 9-3 come-from-behind victory over Austin Peay on Friday night to close out day one of the Runnin' Bulldog Classic. The 'Dogs trailed 3-2 entering the fifth but scored seven over the next two innings to regain the lead and claim the victory.
 
Andrea Lyon pitched a complete game in the victory as she gave up three runs and five hits. She also struck out a pair of Governors.
 
Lyon's double in the opening inning brought Adrienne Visintine home and gave GWU an early 1-0 lead. Austin Peay tied it at 1 in the third, but Visintine responded with an RBI single in the bottom of the inning to put the 'Dogs back ahead.
 
Austin Peay scored a pair of runs in the top of the fourth to get their first lead of the night.
 
In the fifth and sixth innings, the Runnin; Bulldogs offense exploded to tally seven runs. Ella Christopher had the tying RBI double while Kiara Kennedy hit a two-out single to center to bring home two runs and give GWU the lead for good.
 
Gardner-Webb finished with 13 hits with Lyon leading the team with three. Kasey Fava, Kennedy, Visintine, and Bridgette Strobl each had a pair. Abbey Goodrum and Christopher both had a base hit during the game's action as well.
 
The Runnin' Bulldogs will play two games tomorrow on Day Two of the Runnin' Bulldog Classic. They play Ohio at 1:00 p.m. and Robert Morris at 3:00 p.m. as part of the five games that will be contested on Saturday.