FARMVILLE, VA - The Gardner-Webb University softball team closed out a three-game Big South series at Longwood on Sunday afternoon, dropping a wild 10-7 contest

The Runnin' Bulldogs got off to a dream start, taking a 5-0 lead in the top of the first inning. Junior Taylor Dreher doubled home the first run of the game, just ahead of junior Alli Stidham who collected a sac fly RBI. The big swing for GWU came from sophomore Carmen McRae, who belted a three-run home run to left field.

With a four-run second, Longwood battled back for a 5-5 tie that would hold up until the fourth. In the top of the fourth, sophomore Trina Van Dyke continued a solid individual series, sending a two-run home run over the wall in left. Through four, Gardner-Webb held a 7-5 lead. Van Dyke finished the game for GWU by going 2-for-3 with two RBI and two runs scored.

As with the second inning however, Longwood turned the game around with a big inning. The Lancers scored five runs in the bottom of the sixth, taking a 10-7 lead that held out as final.

In the contest, Gardner-Webb collected seven runs on 12 hits, and played a clean defensive game with no errors. Longwood countered with 10 runs on 12 hits, allowing two Runnin' Bulldogs to reach on error.

In addition to Van Dyke and Dreher, five Gardner-Webb players also collected multiple hits including senior Jailyn Tineo, junior Annicka McLaughlin and junior Haley Yeary who got the start in the center field.

UP NEXT
The 'Dawgs return to action on Tuesday, April 1st, on the road to face nationally ranked Clemson at 6 p.m.