BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. - The Gardner-Webb softball team (25-16, 5-5 Big South) made the most of its first home game in a month on Friday night, powering its way past Presbyterian (15-26, 3-7 Big South)

Thanks in large part to a gem in the circle and some timely defense, the Gardner-Webb offense needed just two runs on Friday night. Both would come off the bat of senior catcher Caroline Johnson, who drove in sophomore third baseman Caitlin Colley with the help of an error in the second, and sophomore center fielder Lauren Spainhower on a sixth inning RBI single

Stealing the show for GWU was senior right-hander Alli Stidham. Stidham was more than excellent for the Runnin' Bulldogs, posting a complete-game, seven-hit shutout, striking out six batters. She did so on just 83 pitches for her 10th win of the season

Over to the Gardner-Webb defense, who made several key plays behind Stidham. After a one out single in the top of the first, senior shortstop Annicka McLaughlin got GWU out of any early trouble, fielding a sharply hit ball, then stepping on the bag at second before hitting senior first baseman Maggie Knight for a 6-3 double play

Stidham helped her own cause on defense in the top of the sixth. With runners on first and second with one out, Stidham knocked down a ball back through the box. Instead of going to first, she hit Colley at third base to nab the lead runner. With a ground-out to third that followed, the Blue Hose left the sixth scoreless

In the seventh, Stidham worked around a one out double, getting two strikeouts and a ground-out to Colley at third base once again to end the game. Gardner-Webb left the field 2-0 winners in the weekend series opener

Behind the excellent pitching, GWU needed just six hits. Those were spread between six different players, with one each for Colley, Johnson, Spainhower, McLaughlin, senior right fielder Jailyn Tineo and senior designated player Taylor Dreher

UP NEXT
Gardner-Webb and Presbyterian meet on Saturday to wrap up the weekend series, with a 1:00 pm and 3:00 pm doubleheader at Brinkley Stadium