BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. - The Gardner-Webb University softball team (15-18, 0-4 Big South) opened a three game league series with Winthrop (20-10, 4-0 Big South) on Friday afternoon at Brinkley Stadium, suffering a 9-3 defeat.

The Runnin' Bulldogs started slow, with visiting Winthrop putting runners on base and scratching a run across in the top of the first. Gardner-Webb quickly hit back however, with junior left fielder Maura Pendleton sending an RBI single back through the box. Junior shortstop Ella Christopher came in to score after previously extending the inning by reaching on an error.

Winthrop took the lead back in the top of the third, with pitcher Megan Powell homering to left center. One again though, the Runnin' Bulldogs struck back. Junior second baseman Annicka McLaughlin found just enough space on the infield for a hit, allowing Christopher to score from third and make the score 3-2, Winthrop.

The tide turned in Winthrop's favor in the fifth and sixth inning, where the visiting Eagles scored three runs apiece, eventually taking a 9-2 lead into the seventh inning.

Gardner-Webb added another run in the bottom of the seventh, with junior right fielder Taylor Dreher finding the gap for a double to left center to bring the score to 9-3. Graduate third baseman Araceli Pesqueira scored from first after a one-out single the at-bat before.

For the game, Gardner-Webb finished with three runs on seven hits, two errors, and seven runners left on base. Winthrop meanwhile finished with nine runs on 10 hits, one error, and 11 runners left on base.

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The Runnin' Bulldogs are back in action on Saturday, wrapping up the three-game series with Winthrop with a 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. doubleheader at Brinkley Stadium