CLINTON, S.C. - The Gardner-Webb University softball team scored a key doubleheader sweep in Big South play on Saturday afternoon, using four late runs to take control of Game One, and a ninth inning grand slam to pull away in Game Two

Game One - Gardner-Webb 8, Presbyterian 5
With four runs in the top of the first, and four more combined in the top of the sixth and seventh, Gardner-Webb notched an important Game One winning, defeating Presbyterian by an 8-5 final.

Sophomore first baseman Carmen McRae got the Runnin' Bulldogs off to a dream start in the top of the first inning, sending a grand slam soaring over the fence in left field. Before the home-standing Blue Hose even picked up a bat, Gardner-Webb had built a 4-0 lead.

Presbyterian battled back in the bottom of the first and fifth innings, bringing the contest to 4-3 by the end of five. In the sixth however, the Runnin' Bulldogs turned to freshman center fielder Lauren Spainhower and she delivered with one of her biggest hits of the season. After junior Alyssa Bonilla reached on an error to keep the inning alive, Spainhower roped a single to left. Two runs came across by way of junior catcher Taylor Dreher and junior designated player Alli Stidham who each singled earlier in the inning, building a 6-4 lead for the 'Dawgs.

The Runnin' Bulldogs grabbed two more insurance runs off the bat of Stidham in the seventh, with a double into the gap in right center field giving Gardner-Webb the 8-5 lead that the contest would see as final.

For GWU, Stidham finished 3-for-4 at the plate, drove in two runs, scored two runs, and also pitched 2.1 innings to earn the decision. Spainhower also finished with two hits for Gardner-Webb, while four more Runnin' Bulldogs, including Dreher, McRae, junior shortstop Ella Christopher and sophomore left fielder Trina Van Dyke added a hit each.

Junior pitcher Kalyn Kyle picked up the save in the circle, tossing 1.2 innings, striking out a pair and only allowing a single hit.

Game Two - Gardner-Webb 10, Presbyterian 5 // 9 innings
Gardner-Webb continued to swing a hot bat into the late game, picking up where the team left off with two runs in the top of the first. Dreher got the scoring started with a single to give the Runnin' Bulldogs a 2-0 lead, and the Gilbert, S.C. native would add to that in the fourth, scoring Stidham on a double to center. Through four, Gardner-Webb held a 3-2 lead.

Just as with the first game, Bonilla would come up in a big spot and deliver for the Runnin' Bulldogs. This time, Bonilla was credited with a single, doing just enough for junior second baseman Annicka McLaughlin to come around and score with the help of an error, tying the game at 4-4 with GWU down to its final out of the game.

Still tied in the ninth, where the Runnin' Bulldogs turned in maybe the most important inning of the season. Bonilla again delivered, getting the RBI this time with a single to right with the bases loaded, giving Gardner-Webb a 5-4 lead in extras. Bonilla finished the game 2-for-4 at the plate, with both hits leading to runs for the 'Dawgs.

Gardner-Webb wasn't done there however, as senior right fielder Jailyn Tineo stepped in with the bases still loaded. Tineo uncorked a grand slam to center, sending the Gardner-Webb bench into a frenzy and giving the Runnin' Bulldogs a 9-4 lead in extra innings. Tineo finished the game 2-for-3 at the plate for Gardner-Webb, with two runs scored and four RBI.

Stidham earned the win in the circle one again for the Runnin' Bulldogs, tossing 6.2 innings in relief, allowing two earned runs, scattering eight hits, and striking out seven PC batters.

The Runnin' Bulldogs collected 10 runs on 12 hits, were helped by three PC errors, and saw eight different players reach base either by hit or walk.

FROM COACH WIGNESS
"Alli Stidham and Kalyn Kyle were great in relief today in the circle, they gave us a chance to win both games. The offense was explosive, we put pressue on the defense and got the timely hits. I loved our comeback in Game Two. The 'Dawgs are never out of the fight"

UP NEXT
The 'Dawgs will go for the series sweep tomorrow afternoon, with first pitch at Presbyterian set for 1 p.m.