CLEMSON, S.C. – The Gardner-Webb University softball team went on the road to face nationally ranked Clemson on Tuesday night in mid-week non-conference action, falling by an 11-3 final score.
 
The Runnin' Bulldogs got off to a rocky start on Tuesday night in Clemson, where the No. 25 ranked Tigers opened the contest with a 6-0 lead through one inning of play.
 
Gardner-Webb responded admirably however, hitting back for two runs in the top of the second inning. Sophomore first baseman Carmen McRae started the scoring for GWU with a two-RBI single into the gap in right. Junior shortstop Ella Christopher and junior pitcher Alli Stidham, in the game as a relief pitcher, came across the plate for a 6-2 score.
 
After Clemson added five runs to take an 11-2 lead in the bottom of the second, the Runnin' Bulldogs did continue to swing a good bat in the top of the third. Christopher added her second hit of the game with a single down the line in left, with a good slide, junior catcher Taylor Dreher beat the throw to go from first to third on one hit.
 
Over to the bottom of the third where it was time for the 'Dawgs defense to shine. Freshman pitcher Hannah Frye put a zero on the scoreboard, helped by a 6-4-3 double play that ended any Clemson threat. The Kingsport, Tenn. native finished the final 2.1 innings for Gardner-Webb, allowing only two hits.
 
Back to the plate in the top of the fifth, Christopher made it a 3-for-3 day with a base hit to center with two outs. Sophomore left fielder Trina Van Dyke scored from third, bringing the score to 11-3. Stidham reached with her second hit on the next at bat, but the Runnin' Bulldogs would be retired from there to end the game.
 
In all, Gardner-Webb finished with three runs on eight hits, collected by five different players and committed zero errors defensively.
 
UP NEXT
Gardner-Webb returns to action on April 8th and April 9th back-to-back, hosting ETSU on Tuesday and Appalachian State on Wednesday inside Brinkley Stadium