BOILING SPRINGS – Gardner-Webb dropped its doubleheader against Western Carolina Tuesday night from Brinkley Softball Stadium.
 
The Catamounts struck first in the opening game, scoring a run in the second inning, two in the third, and another in the fourth.
 
Down 4-0 going into the bottom of the fourth, the Runnin' Bulldogs responded with two runs of their own. Emily Garcia got things started, doubling to centerfield. Adrienne Visintine followed up with an infield single and sent Garcia to third. Kasey Fava walked, and advanced to second on a groundout to third base from Annicka McLaughlin. Garcia scored from third on the play. Fava then stole third, and Kiara Kennedy singled through the left side to make it 4-2.
 
In the top of the fifth, WCU added a run to give the 'cats a three-run advantage.
 
In the bottom of the inning, Ella Christopher hit a leadoff double to center field. Following an Andrea Lyon walk, Visintine doubled to center field to score Christopher.
 
Western Carolina went on to add two runs and took the first game 7-3.
 
Gardner-Webb had four batters with multiple hits in the game. Christopher and Visintine hit a single and a double each. Kennedy and Alyssa Bonilla both hit two singles. Garcia hit a double, and Annicka McLaughlin added a single. In all, the Runnin' Bulldogs combined for ten hits. Visintine, McLaughlin, and Kennedy all had an RBI each.
 
Kalyn Kyle started in the circle, and Clara Wyatt took over in the fifth. Kyle Struck out four batters and Wyatt retired one.
 
The Catamounts started the second game hot again, jumping out to a 3-0 lead in the first inning and a half.
 
In the bottom of the second, Gardner-Webb punched back, scoring four runs to take the lead. Kayleigh Nicholson and Kiara Kennedy both singled through the left side to put runners on first and second. Nicholson then scored off an error that put Alyssa Bonilla on first and Kennedy on second. With one out, Adrienne Visintine sent a shot over the center field wall that scored three runs and put the 'dogs on top 4-3.
 
Unfortunately for Gardner-Webb, the Runnin' Bulldogs were unable to find any more runs, and Western Carolina scored 13 unanswered to take game two.
 
Visintine led the team with two hits in three trips to the plate. The grad student had a double, a homerun, and three RBIs. Ella Christopher, Andrea Lyon, Emily Garcia, Kayleigh Nicholson, Abbey Goodrum, and Kiara Kennedy all hit singles in the game. Alyssa Bonilla had the 'dogs other RBI.
 
Alli Stidham was the starting pitcher for Gardner-Webb in game two. Kalyn Kyle took over in the middle of the fourth, and Clara Wyatt pitched the final inning. Kyle struck out two Catamounts and Stidham one.
 
Gardner-Webb will start conference play next, traveling to Charleston Southern Friday, March 24. First pitch is set for 6:00 P.M. in the Runnin' Bulldogs' open to Big South play.