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Boiling Springs, N.C.
- In the third and final game of the three-game Big South Conference
series, the Gardner-Webb softball team had their bid for the three-game sweep
come up short, as the Campbell Fighting Camels defeated the Runnin' Bulldogs in
a tight 2-1 contest on Saturday afternoon at Varsity Field in Boiling Springs,
N.C.
The loss drops GWU to 17-21 overall and 4-6 in conference
play, while Campbell improves to 20-20 overall and 5-4 in the Big South with
the win.
After overcoming a walk to the Campbell lead-off hitter Ericka
Nesbitt in the top of the first inning, Gardner-Webb pushed across the first
run of the game in the bottom half of the inning.
Freshman Savannah Burns drew a two-out walk to get the
inning started, as senior catcher McKenzie Morenus then hit a bloop-single down
the right field line to put runners on first and third. First-baseman Morgan Baker then hit a
sharp ground ball that hit third-base and rolled into the outfield to drive in
Burns from third and put the home team up 1-0 early.
Looking to add to their lead in the bottom of the second,
GWU got singles from designated player Elizabeth Williams and outfielder
Melinda Dulkowski, yet failed to add an insurance run, leaving the score at 1-0
through two innings of play.
Campbell, who got their first hit of the game in the top of
the third, took advantage of a hit batsman and a fortunate call to take the
lead in the top of the fourth.
Sarah Forgacs was hit by a pitch to start the inning and then moved up
to second on a single by Stephanie Jones.
On the very next play, a ground ball to shortstop, Forgacs
was called out for runner's interference, putting runners on first and second
for the Camels with one out. After the next Campbell hitter struck out looking,
outfielder Kailey Farmer hit a ball down the left field line that was called a
fair ball, allowing two Fighting Camels to score and put the visitors on top
2-1.
GWU's Lindsea Hutchinson led off the bottom of the fourth
with a single to right field and then moved up to second on a base-on-balls to
Williams. Back-to-back ground
balls to the left side of the infield led to two outs at third base and thus
halted the Runnin' Bulldogs scoring threat.
Still down 2-1 in the fifth, Gardner-Webb put runners on
first and third with one out.
However, a base-running blunder by the Runnin' Bulldogs allowed the
Camels to make an unusual double play on a double steal attempt to end the
inning and keep the score at 2-1 heading into the sixth.
Both teams would put one runner on in their respective
halves of the seventh inning, yet neither would score as Campbell came away
with the 2-1 win over the Runnin' Bulldogs.
GWU sophomore hurler Jessica Childers (4-8) suffered the
loss, as the righty gave up two runs on four hits and one walk, while striking
out five over 3.2 innings of work.
Redshirt-senior Cindy Boomhower pitched strong in a relief
effort, as she held Campbell scoreless over the final 3.1 innings of play,
allowing only one hit and striking out one Camel batter.
The win went to Campbell's Olivia Scarborough (4-2), as the
righty held GWU to one run on five hits and four walks, while striking out one
in the complete game win.
Offensively for GWU, Baker was 1-3 with an RBI, while
Morenus was 1-1 with two walks.
Hutchinson was 1-3, while both Williams and Dulkowski were 1-2 at the
plate.
For Campbell, Raven Lee was 2-3 with a double, while Farmer
was 1-2 with a double and two RBI.
Gardner-Webb (17-21, 4-6 Big South) will return to action on
Wednesday, April 11th, as the Runnin' Bulldogs will step out of conference play
to host Charlotte in a non-conference twin tilt at 2 p.m.
Campbell (20-20-, 5-4 Big South) will also step out of Big
South play on Wednesday afternoon, as the Fighting Camels will take on North
Carolina State in a non-conference doubleheader at 4 p.m. in Raleigh, N.C.
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