ROCK HILL, S.C. - The Gardner-Webb softball team (23-11, 3-2 Big South) returned to Big South play on Saturday, dropping both ends of a conference doubleheader at Winthrop (17-15, 3-2 Big South)

Game One - Winthrop 7, Gardner-Webb 3
The Runnin' Bulldogs started slow in Game One on Friday, and were unable to dig themselves out of a big hole in a 7-3 defeat

Winthrop did nearly all its damage in the second inning, tagging the Gardner-Webb pitching staff for six runs, three of which came via the two home runs

In the third, Gardner-Webb finally got on the board and began to chip away. Senior first baseman Maggie Knight put a charge into another home run, this one worth three runs. Suddenly, Gardner-Webb trailed just 6-3

Despite 11 hits in the game, including leaving runners on base in the fifth, sixth and seventh innings, Gardner-Webb was unable to fully complete the comeback. Winthrop added an insurance run in the seventh, as GWU fell 7-3

For Gardner-Webb, Knight finished the game 3-for-4 with a run scored at the plate plus the three-run home run, and senior designated player Alli Stidham also finished 3-for-4 with a run scored. Senior catcher Taylor Dreher also posted two hits

Game Two- Winthrop 7, Gardner-Webb 4
In Game Two, Gardner-Webb found itself with a late lead in a back and forth game, but was unable to hang on down the stretch in a 7-4 loss

Down a run in the third, Knight again stepped up to the plate and again came through, this time with a sac fly to right to tie the game. Sophomore third baseman gave GWU the lead moments later with an RBI single to center, 2-1

Sophomore second baseman Reese Collier continued to swing a hot bat in the fourth. Tied 2-2, Collier hit an RBI single back through the box to put Gardner-Webb in front 3-2

Despite leading late, Winthrop hit back for four runs in a wild sixth inning, eventually taking a 7-3 lead. All four Winthrop scoring plays in the inning came via singles

One last run in the seventh wasn't enough for the Runnin' Bulldogs in a 7-4 defeat. Gardner-Webb added its last run of the game on a late RBI double from sophomore first baseman Madden McMahan-Waters, who finished the contest 1-for-3 with an RBI and a walk

Other Runnin' Bulldogs with solid games include senior shortstop Annicka McLaughlin, who went 3-for-4 at the plate with a run scored, and Colley who was 2-for-4 with an RBI

UP NEXT
The Eagles and Runnin' Bulldogs finish a three-game series on Saturday at 2 pm