BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. - The Gardner-Webb University softball team bounced back from an opening day defeat on Saturday afternoon at the Runnin' Bulldog Classic, coming from behind in the early game to defeat West Georgia before a run-rule victory over Drexel to finish the day
GAME ONE - West Georgia at Gardner-Webb
Taking on West Georgia for the second time in 24 hours, the Runnin' Bulldogs would use a series of big hits and a three run sixth inning to come from behind for a 5-3 victory.
After the visitors took a 1-0 lead on a sac fly in the top of the first, GWU hit right back. Graduate third baseman
Araceli Pesqueira launched her team's first home run of the season over the wall in right center field, tying the game at one. The fireworks didn't end there however, with Gardner-Webb also battling back for a tie in the fifth inning and a lead in the sixth.
After West Georgia went back ahead on a fielder's choice, junior shortstop
Ella Christopher stepped to the plate in the bottom of the fifth inning. The Longwood, Fla. native smashed a base hit to left field, which was overrun by the oncoming fielder. Once the ball rolled all the way to the wall, sophomore infielder
Lilly Deaton was able to score from first without a throw and tie the game at 2-2.
On to the sixth, where once again, West Georgia manufactured a run via sac fly in the top half of the frame for a 3-2 lead. But as with the story of the contest, Gardner-Webb battled back and this time took the lead for good. Sophomore designated player
Trina Van Dyke doubled home junior left fielder
Maura Pendleton for a 3-3 tie, before Pesqueira returned for her second big hit of the game- this time, a double down the line in right to score two more runs. Suddenly, GWU led 5-3 from down 3-2 just moments before.
Junior left hand pitcher
Kalyn Kyle would finish the game for Gardner-Webb, shutting down West Georgia to get the victory. Kyle finished with 3.0 innings of one run ball, scattering four hits and striking out one.
GAME TWO - Drexel at Gardner-Webb
The second game of the day for Gardner-Webb wouldn't prove to be as difficult as the 'Dawgs jumped in front early, took advantage of some poor defense from Drexel, and capped off the day with a grand slam to end it.
Gardner-Webb went ahead 3-0 in the first inning, helped on by another big hit from Pesqueira, among others. The Laveen, Ariz. native plated Van Dyke with an RBI double for GWU's first run, and Pesqueira came around to score not long after, crossing the plate on a sac fly by junior first baseman
Bella Ligotti. Junior catcher
Taylor Dreher made it 3-0 before three outs were recorded, scoring Christopher on an RBI single.
The 'Dawgs did even more damage in the second, with Christopher again at the center of the action. The junior placed an RBI single into left center, pushing an unearned run across for a 5-0 lead.
Once again in the fifth, Christopher found herself in the middle of the action and this time, delivered in the biggest way possible. With a 6-0 lead and representing the game ending run, Christopher sent a no-doubt home run over the left field wall to give Gardner-Webb a 10-0 lead and end the contest via run rule.
In the circle for Gardner-Webb, junior pitcher
Alli Stidham picked up the victory. Stidham held Drexel to just five hits through 5.0 innings of work, striking out three and not allowing a run.
Overall, the Runnin' Bulldogs plated 10 runs, smashed 13 hits, and benefited from four Drexel errors.
UP NEXT
The Runnin' Bulldog Classic concludes on Sunday morning, when Gardner-Webb again faces Drexel again. Sunday's contest is scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. inside Brinkley Stadium
