BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. - The Gardner-Webb University softball team (7-3) bounced back from a game one defeat in doubleheader action against Western Carolina on Tuesday night (2-8) riding a stellar pitching performance and a big third inning in game two to earn a split

GAME ONE - Western Carolina 2, Gardner-Webb 1 - 8 innings
Despite a combined 8.0 innings of one run ball between starter Alli Stidham and Kalyn Kyle in relief, the Runnin' Bulldogs would drop game one to Western Carolina, 2-1 in eight innings.

Gardner-Webb got its only run via the long ball, taking a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the fourth inning. Graduate third baseman Araceli Pesqueira put a charge into a pitch, sending it out over the wall to straight away center for her second home run of the young season.

The Catamounts battled back in the top of the sixth to tie the game at 1-1, then took the lead on an eighth inning triple that brought in the designated runner for extra innings. That go-ahead hit in the top of the eighth held up as Western Carolina set GWU down in order in the bottom half of the frame.

GWU wasn't without its chances in game one, including leaving runners stranded on second and third in the bottom of the seventh and a runner on the third in the bottom of the sixth inning as well.

For the 'Dawgs, Stidham pitched 3.2 innings as the starter, allowing three hits but no runs. In relief, Kyle handled the remaining 4.1 innings, allowing only a single earned run and striking out a pair.

GAME TWO - Gardner-Webb 5, Western Carolina 1
In the late game, Gardner-Webb would get seven innings out of freshman pitcher Hannah Frye and a big third inning at the plate to help turn the tide and earn the doubleheader split.

The Runnin' Bulldogs did nearly all the damage in the third inning and via just two big swings. Freshman first baseman Madden McMahan-Waters drove in the first two runs with an RBI single into the gap in left center, before Stidham went back through the box to score McMahan-Waters and Pesqueira. Just like that, Gardner-Webb jumped in front 4-0.

Junior shortstop Ella Christopher got in on the action in the bottom of the fourth inning with a no-doubt, solo home run to left center, giving Gardner-Webb a 5-1 lead. Christopher finished the game going 2-for-3 with two runs scored and an RBI.

Western Carolina got its only run in the top of the fourth, when the Catamounts moved a base hit around first via a throwing error, then on a couple of ground balls on the infield.

Frye completed the game in the circle for the Runnin' Bullogs with relative ease. The Kingsport, Tenn. native tossed 7.0 innings, allowed just a single run, striking out five for her third win of the season.

FROM COACH WIGNESS
First game, obviously we pitched well enough to win, but we didn't hit well enough. We were getting runners on, but we couldn't get them in. It wasn't a very efficient offensive strategy, so it was good to see us bounce back in game two. Hannah Frye threw really, really well, the outfield made some good plays, infield was on the whole time, and we actually got runners on and moved them. That's our identity, ground balls up the middle, getting on base, using the middle of the field, and we didn't do that in game one so it was good to bounce back and hopefully we can carry the momentum into the weekend.

UP NEXT
The Runnin' Bulldogs prepare to head north for the Hilltopper Classic, taking on Bradley and hosts Western Kentucky in a pair of Sunday-Monday doubleheaders, each beginning at 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. on February 23rd and 24th