BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. - The Gardner-Webb University softball team (4-1) stayed hot at the plate on Thursday afternoon, using a five-run third inning in an 8-2 win over Iona, the Runnin' Bulldogs fourth consecutive victory

The nation's leader in batting average continued an early season tear in the first inning, with junior shortstop Ella Christopher driving in the game's first run. After freshman center fielder Lauren Spainhower reached on an error to start the game, a sac bunt immediately put her in scoring position. Then up stepped Christopher who tripled into the right center field gap, with Spainhower scoring easily for a 1-0 lead. 

The Gaels responded with an RBI double in the second and a solo home run in the third, but otherwise, junior pitcher Alli Stidham kept Iona at bay. Through the first three innings, Stidham scattered five hits, allowed those two earned runs, and produced five fly outs. Stidham would make way in the fourth for junior pitcher Kalyn Kyle, who shut out the Gales the rest of the way with 3.2 innings of work, four strikeouts and just a pair of hits allowed.

Gardner-Webb pulled away for good in the third inning behind five runs. Spainhower was again at the center of the action by reaching on an error to start the inning before graduate third baseman Araceli Pesqueira doubled her home, tying the game at 2-2. Christopher and sophomore right fielder Trina Van Dyke reached on back-to-back fielders choices, with a run being scored on the latter for a 3-2, Gardner-Webb lead. Junior catcher Taylor Dreher broke the game open a couple of at-bats later, doubling home Pesqueria and Van Dyke for a 5-2 lead for the 'Dawgs. Just for good measure, Stidham helped her own cause with an RBI single back through the box and eventually scored on a wild pitch, giving the Runnin' Bulldogs a 6-2 edge through three.

Gardner-Webb added one more run in the fourth thanks to a Christopher RBI single and another in the sixth with a sac fly off the bat of junior first baseman Bella Ligotti, eventually taking the 8-2 lead the 'Dawgs held for the final duration of the game.

Overall, Gardner-Webb scored eight runs on eight hits and benefited from three Iona errors. Christopher continued to lead the way at the plate and add to her NCAA Division I best batting average, with three hits and two RBI, while Stidham, Kyle and freshman pitcher Hannah Frye combined to allow only two runs, seven hits and two walks across the contest.

UP NEXT
Gardner-Webb is back in action on Friday, hosting the Red and Black Classic. The 'Dawgs will face Iona again at 3 p.m. on February 14th, followed by Sacred Heart at 5:30 p.m.