BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – Gardner-Webb took advantage of an eight-run third inning to pull away from Lafayette, 11-1, on Friday evening at the Spring in the Springs tournament.
 
The hosts jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first inning, scoring on three hits. Reese Collier, Alli Stidham and Maggie Knight all plated runs for the Runnin' Bulldogs at Brinkley Stadium.
 
Lafayette put up a single run in the top of the third inning. Olivia Catalina's first career triple ended up being the Leopards' only hit of the game. Fellow senior Dani Rosner drove in Catalina with an RBI-groundout. Lafayette trailed 3-1.
 
In the home half of the third, Gardner-Webb broke open the game with eight runs. The hosts opened the frame with three-straight singles, the final by Jailyn Tineo that scored the first tally. With one out in the inning, Makayla Lecky entered the game in relief of starter Jordan Goedel. Gardner-Webb added seven additional runs as Caitlin Colley and Knight each plated a pair for the 11-1 final.
 
Goedel took the loss in the circle, allowing seven runs on seven hits over 2.1 innings with three walks and a strikeout. Lecky tossed two-thirds of an inning, surrendering one earned run on three hits with a pair of walks. Parker Rowden, who finished the game, gave way to just one hit with two strikeouts in a scoreless fourth. Stidham allowed one run on one hit over four innings for the victory.  
 
The Leopards will play two games again Saturday, facing North Dakota State at 12:30 p.m. and Gardner-Webb at 5:30 p.m.