BOILING SPRINGS – Gardner-Webb dominated game three of its series with Winthrop on the way to a "run rule" victory over the Eagles.
 
The Runnin' Bulldogs wasted no time in Sunday's game, exploding for five runs in the first inning and going through the entire batting order.
 
Kasey Fava hit a leadoff single, and Annicka McLaughlin singled to put runners on first and second. Following an error by the shortstop, Andrea Lyon reached first to load the bases in the bottom of the first. Freshman Ella Christopher singled and Bridgette Strobl walked to score the first two runs for the 'dogs. Kiara Kennedy followed with a 2-RBI double to center field to push the lead to four. The Eagles made a pitching change and Abbey Goodrum singled to score one more run before heading to the second.
 
After a 1-2-3 top of the inning, Gardner-Webb came back out on offense with McLaughlin, Lyon, and Adrienne Visintine due up.
 
Lyon walked and Visintine singled to put runners in scoring position. Strobl answered with a single and scored a run. Visintine then scored on a passed ball to make it 7-0 through two at Brinkley.
 
Winthrop responded with two runs of their own and cut the lead to five in the top of the third.
 
In the bottom of the inning, Fava reached on a fielder's choice in which the Eagles tagged out Abbey Goodrum who singled her way to first. Fava caught Winthrop off guard and stole second. McLaughlin hit a single and made her way to second on a throwing error. Fava scored on the play to make it 8-2.
 
The Eagles left two stranded in the top of the sixth and GWU took advantage, ending the game in the bottom of the inning.
 
Lyon hit a leadoff double and Alexa Key came in to pinch run for the senior. Visintine followed with a single and advanced to second on the throw, moving Key to third. Christopher came up and hit a 2-RBI single up the middle to end the game early as the 'dogs took the series on a 10-2 victory.
 
Gardner-Webb's offense racked up 13 hits in six innings. Fava continued to her strong weekend at the plate with another 2-hit performance. Fava, McLaughlin, Visintine, Christopher, and Goodrum each hit two singles. Strobl added a single while Lyon and Kennedy each hit a double.
 
Christopher led the 'dogs with three RBIs followed by Kennedy's two, Strobl's two, and Goodrum's one.
 
Following the game, Fava credited the defense for "holding things down" in games one and two before the offense could get the bats going in game three.
 
Andrea Lyon retired five batters through six innings on her way to a complete game Sunday.
 
"I'm really proud of our team for making offensive adjustments from games one and two," said head coach Bailey Wigness. "Andrea Lyon threw another great game. Our team is starting to come together at the right time."
 
The Runnin' Bulldogs are next in action Friday, April 7, when they will host Longwood for a doubleheader at 4:00 P.M. in Boiling Springs.