BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. - The Gardner-Webb University softball team made its return to Brinkley Stadium for the first time in a week and a half on Friday afternoon, suffering a 12-0 setback to USC Upstate in the opener of a three game weekend series
The Runnin' Bulldogs started rather strong, with freshman pitcher
Hannah Frye sending the USC Upstate order back to the dugout in the first inning, three up and three down, including the game's first strikeout. GWU eventually got the lead runner to third in the bottom of the first, with senior right fielderÂ
Jailyn Tineo making it just shy of home, reaching to begin on a hit by pitch.
Things began to unravel in the second for Gardner-Webb, with USC Upstate scoring seven runs in the top of the frame. The Spartans scored those seven runs on six hits, the majority of which came from a two-out grand slam over the wall in left field.
Junior catcher
Taylor Dreher tried to be a spark for Gardner-Webb in the bottom of the second. The Glibert, S.C. native gave GWU its first hit, and eventually stole second. Dreher made it over to third after a bunt single by junior second baseman
Annicka McLaughlin but a sharp line-out to third and a timely throw back to first for a double play ended the 'Dawgs threat.
With three runs in the fourth and two more in the fifth, USC Upstate eventually increased its lead to the final tally of 12-0. The visiting Spartans were helped on in the top of the fifth by two Gardner-Webb errors on the infield.
In addition to Dreher and McLaughlin, junior designated player and pitcher
Alli Stidham added a hit, as did freshman center fielder
Lauren Spainhower, while sophomore first basemanÂ
Carmen McRae also reached via a walk in the bottom of the fourth inning.
UP NEXT
USC Upstate and Gardner-Webb wrap up the penultimate Big South weekend of the season on Saturday, with a 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. doubleheader scheduled in Boiling Springs
