SPARTANBURG, S.C. - The Gardner-Webb softball team returns to action the weekend of April 3rd and 4th, taking on USC Upstate in an important three-game conference series, including a national TV game on Saturday afternoon

SERIES INFORMATION
Gardner-Webb (23-13, 3-3 Big South) at USC Upstate (22-14, 5-1 Big South)
Game One: Friday, 3 pm - ESPN Plus
Game Two: Friday, 5 pm - ESPN Plus
Game Three: Saturday, 4 pm - ESPNU

LAST TIME OUT: The Runnin' Bulldogs battled throughout and led 4-0 early at Clemson on Tuesday night before eventually falling by a 12-4 final score. GWU scored four runs across the first two innings, and recorded eight hits for the game

LAST SEASON: Gardner-Webb and USC Upstate meet in a crucial Big South Conference series. The Spartans swept GWU last season in Boiling Springs and have won five straight in the series. Gardner-Webb last defeated USC Upstate in the series opener in Spartanburg in 2024, final score 4-3

NATIONAL TV: Saturday's series finale will be broadcast on ESPNU. The Runnin' Bulldogs will appear on ESPNU for the second time, and for the first time since 2021. The two teams met in front of a national television audience on April 25th, 2021 where USC Upstate prevailed 2-1. The April 4th broadcast will also mark the 19th consecutive season of Big South Conference softball on a linear television network

STAR IN THE CIRCLE: Freshman right-hander Glenna McLamb has been leading Gardner-Webb in the circle in 2026. The Godwin, N.C. native has a 4.43 ERA to go along with six complete games, seven wins, and 56 strikeouts. McLamb has allowed two runs or fewer in 12 appearances this season, split between the bullpen and as a starter

PLAYER TO WATCH: After a strong week and a sweep of Charleston Southern, senior first baseman Maggie Knight became the fourth Gardner-Webb player this season to win Big South Player of The Week. In addition to her batting average mentioned below, Knight also has a and Big South best .520 on base percentage, is top ten in the Big South in slugging at .558, has 41 hits, 10 doubles and a pair of home runs and posted a 23 game on base streak from February 23rd to March 20th of this season

KEY IN THE LINEUP: Senior designated player Alli Stidham continued an excellent two-way season at Clemson on Tuesday night. Stidham was 3-for-3 at the plate with a run scored, while also tossing the final 3.1 innings in relief and striking out four. Stidham is hitting .421 for the season, with 48 hits and six home runs, while also leading the team with 59 strikeouts in 17 appearances in the circle

BIG BOPPERS: Gardner-Webb has rode the strength off its offense for most of the 2026 season. Knight leads the team with a .423 batting average, joining Stidham who's hitting .421, senior shortstop Annicka McLaughlin who's hitting .419 with 44 hits this season, and sophomore second baseman Reese Collier at a .411 average as GWU's core above .400 group. The quartet combines to hold four of the seven highest BA's in the Big South Conference