CLEMSON, S.C. - The Gardner-Webb softball team (23-13, 3-3 Big South) led early at Clemson on Tuesday night, before eventually falling by a final score of 12-4

GWU was lightning quick out of the gate with a three-run top of the first inning. The Runnin' Bulldogs loaded the bases with one out ahead of sophomore third baseman Caitlin Colley, who lined a single to right field for a 1-0 lead

Gardner-Webb made it 3-0 not long after, when senior catcher Taylor Dreher found the gap in right center, allowing Colley and senior first baseman Maggie Knight each to score

The Runnin' Bulldogs ended the top half of the first with three runs, three hits, two runners left on base, and chased the Clemson starter from the contest after just 0.1 innings

Knight was back at the plate in the top of the second, lining a single through the right side to score sophomore second baseman Reese Collier. With two out in the top of the second, Gardner-Webb held a 4-0 lead

Clemson would respond with a barrage of runs however in the middle innings. The Tigers quickly regained the lead in the bottom of the second with five runs. They'd add to it with four in the bottom of the third to take a 9-4 lead

With a three-run bottom of the sixth, Clemson put a wrap on the contest with a 12-4 final score. Over six innings, the Gardner-Webb offense finished with four runs, eight hits, and left six on base

At the plate for Gardner-Webb, senior designated player Alli Stidham finished 3-for-3 with a run scored, while five other Runnin' Bulldogs recorded a hit. Dreher 1-for-3 with two RBIs and a double, while Knight was 1-for-2 with a walk, a run scored and an RBI

UP NEXT
GWU returns to action on April 3rd and 4th at USC Upstate, taking the field for a crucial three-game Big South Conference series