BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – Gardner-Webb hosted Longwood for Game 3 of its series Tuesday afternoon.
Unlike games one and two, game three had more of a defensive start, with no runs and only one hit between both teams through three innings.
The Lancers got on the board first, hitting a one-run shot in the top of the fourth. They added another in the fifth, to take a 2-0 lead.
Gardner-Webb responded in the bottom of the fifth.
Bridgette Strobl hit a leadoff double and took third on a passed ball.
Kayleigh Nicholson reached first on a fielder's choice and took second on an error by Longwood's infield. Strobl went home on the play to open the scoring for the 'dogs.
Kasey Fava singled to the shortstop and moved Nicholson to third. Fava stole second and Longwood committed another error trying to throw her out, which allowed Nicholson to score.
After GWU tied things up in the fifth, Longwood added two runs in the sixth.
Andrea Lyon hit a lead-off single in the bottom of the inning and
Abbey Goodrum entered to pinch run.
Adrienne Visintine followed up with a double, advancing to third on the throw home that was not in time for Goodrum. Freshman
Ella Christopher added a single to right field to score the runner from third and tie the game at four. Strobl reached on an error and Nicholson walked, loading the bases for Gardner-Webb.
Alyssa Bonilla pinch hit for
Alexa Key and hit the first pitch she saw to left field for a 2-RBI double. Fava closed out the inning by hitting a ball to second base that scored a run to make it 7-4 heading into the seventh.
The Lancers rallied, scoring three runs in the top of the seventh to force extra innings.
In extras, Longwood scored a run to go up 9-8. Gardner-Webb would put runners on base, but ultimately were unable to drive them home.
Christopher led the team with two hits in four at-bats. Fava, Lyon, and
Emily Garcia hit singles while Visintine, Strobl, and Bonilla hit for extra bases.
Andrea Lyon started the game for the Runnin' Bulldogs and
Alli Stidham took over in the fifth. After two innings, Lyon re-entered to pitch the bottom of the seventh and eighth. Lyon struck out three batters and Stidham two.
GWU is next in action Wednesday, April 12, when it will make up its third game with Charleston Southern that got rained out. The game will air on ESPN+ at 5:00 P.M. as the 'dogs will look to take the series in Charleston, South Carolina.
