CULLOWHEE, N.C. - The Gardner-Webb softball team (26-19) rallied from an early defeat to land a doubleheader split on Tuesday evening at Western Carolina (27-17)

After a defeat in the first game, the Runnin' Bulldogs got excellent pitching and plenty of run support to win the second game. Looking to quickly respond, senior shortstop Taylor Dreher put GWU up 1-0 in the first with an RBI single back through the box

On to the fourth, freshman right fielder LY Forte would make it 2-0, Gardner-Webb. Forte singled in to left, driving in a run to add to the Runnin' Bulldogs lead

Forte had a busy game for GWU, as she'd come in to score in the sixth on an RBI double by senior pitcher Alli Stidham to extend the Dawgs lead to 3-0. She'd also help the Dawgs tack on another run in the seventh on a sac fly.

Gardner-Webb was also the beneficiary of a major defensive miscue. Sophomore third baseman Caitlin Colley reached on a fielder's choice in the sixth, but a bad play at shortstop allowed two more runs to score for the Runnin' Bulldogs

Pitching with a lead for the duration of the contest, Stidham meanwhile had little trouble with the WCU lineup. Continuing a remarkable run over the last couple weeks, Stidham tossed another complete game, this time with five hits and one run allowed, winning her 11th decision of the season

The Runnin' Bulldogs scored six runs on 12 hits for the game, led by a host of players. Forte finished 3-for-3 with two runs scored and two RBIs, Stidham added a 2-for-4 day plus a run scored and an RBI to an already elite pitching performance, and Dreher went 2-for-4 with an RBI

UP NEXT
GWU now gears up for a critical Big South series at Radford, scheduled for Friday, April 17th and Saturday, April 18th