BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. - The Gardner-Webb softball team (29-22, 8-10 Big South) locked up its spot in the upcoming Big South Tournament in wild fashion on Sunday afternoon, finishing a sweep of Longwood (21-32, 7-10 Big South) with a sixth inning come from behind win
In a game that started late on Saturday and finished on Sunday afternoon thanks to inclement weather, GWU and Longwood were back on the field on Sunday, locked in a 1-1 tie. After an early Lancers run, Gardner-Webb tied the game 1-1 in the bottom of the first on an RBI groundout from senior right-hander
Alli Stidham
When play resumed on Sunday, Stidham took over duty on the circle. Stidham, who pitched and won the previous two games in the series, tossed 5.0 innings on Sunday, allowing three hits and only one earned run
The dramatics started in the sixth inning. With a home run to right center in the top of the sixth, Longwood took a 3-1 lead. The Runnin' Bulldogs then answered back. First, senior first baseman
Maggie Knight found the gap in left center, scoring senior shortstop
Annicka McLaughlin to make it 3-2
Sophomore third baseman
Caitlin Colley then reached on a close play at first base, beating the throw from third by a step after review. With two outs in the sixth, down 3-2, the Runnin' Bulldogs had runners at first and third
What followed was a wild sequence, with sophomore pinch runner
Raigan Kelley and junior pinch runner
Brooke Freschi breaking on a double steal attempt. Kelley would hold up the infield just long enough for Freschi to break for home, getting in under the tag to tie the game at 3-3
Sophomore designated player
Madden McMahan-Waters stepped up with the bases loaded moments later. She'd drive in the go-ahead run and an insurance run to hand Gardner-Webb a stunning 5-3 lead
In the bottom of the sixth, GWU scored four runs, on three hits, and two walks, all with two outs, to come from behind and take the lead into the seventh
Stidham worked around a walk and a single in the top of the seventh to secure the victory, stranding runners on second and third to end the game
UP NEXT
Gardner-Webb will return to action on Tuesday, April 28th for the final two games of the regular season at ETSU. First pitch is set for 2 pm and 4 pm
