BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. - The Gardner-Webb softball team jumps back into non-conference play on Tuesday night, visiting Western Carolina for a mid-week doubleheader

SERIES INFORMATION
Gardner-Webb (25-18, 4-5 Big South) at Western Carolina (26-16, 8-4 SoCon)
Game One: Tuesday, 3 pm
Game Two: Tuesday, 5 pm 

LAST TIME OUT: Gardner-Webb dropped its home series against Presbyterian on Saturday with a doubleheader defeat. After a 2-0 win in the opener on Friday night, GWU was beaten 12-2 in the second game before then losing a wild, 11-10, nine inning contest in the finale

LAST MEETING: Gardner-Webb and Western Carolina met for a twinbill back on February 24th. GWU won the opener 10-7, before falling 13-7 in the second game. Sophomore right-hander Hannah Frye pitched one of the best games of her GWU career in the Runnin' Bulldogs win, picking up the decision after going 5.0 innings in relief and allowing just two base hits

PLAYER TO WATCH: Senior designated player Alli Stidham is key for GWU. Stidham is coming off an impressive two-way week for Gardner-Webb, tossing 15.0 innings, striking out 17 total while also hitting .500 (5-for-10) with a pair of doubles and two runs scored against PC. First on Friday, Stidham pitched a complete game, seven hit shutout with six strikeouts in the series opener against PC, she then followed with 8.0 innings in the series finale with 11 strikeouts while also going 3-for-3 at the plate

KEY IN THE LINEUP: Sophomore second baseman Reese Collier has been one of the best power hitters in the Big South in her first season at Gardner-Webb. Collier is second in the Big South with a .406 batting average, second with a .716 slugging, and is the only player in the league so far to eclipse double digit homers, leading the league with 11

BIG BOPPERS: The Runnin' Bulldogs have been impressive on offense all season and it continues to show both in conference and nationally. GWU leads the Big South in both team batting average (.349) and hits (424), while ranking 18th and 3rd in NCAA Division I respectively. GWU remains well on pace to reset the program single season team batting average record of .312, set in 2018