CULLOWHEE, N.C. – Western Carolina softball returns to the Carolinas on Tuesday for a nonconference doubleheader against Big South Foe Gardner-Webb from the on-campus Brinkley Softball Stadium in Boiling Springs, N.C.
The matchup was originally slated for Wednesday but was bumped to Tuesday to beat impending inclement weather in the region. The first pitch of the twin bill is slated for 3 p.m. with live stats available through links on CatamountSports.com.
GAMEDAY CENTRAL
WHAT: Western Carolina (1-7) at Gardner-Webb (6-2)
WHERE: Brinkley Softball Stadium (Boiling Springs, N.C.)
WHEN: Tues., Feb. 18 - 3 p.m.
LIVE STATS: Stat Broadcast (Game One) | Stat Broadcast (Game Two)
FOLLOW THE ACTION
TWITTER: @CatamountSB
About the Catamounts:
Coming off of their best offensive output of the season against #10/11 Georgia on Sunday, the Catamounts look to build momentum on Tuesday in a doubleheader against Gardner-Webb in Boiling Springs. WCU went winless in the challenging Red & Black Showcase battling three Power Four schools in Michigan, Michigan State, and the host Bulldogs.
Sophomore Lily Bell tallied three hits on the weekend to stretch her seasonal total up to 10, followed by classmate Sydney Dirks who added a pair of hits including her first double of the season. Sophomore Maya McPherson and freshman AG Batson also both doubled on the weekend. Batson also was solid in the circle as she allowed two earned runs over 6.2 innings of work against Michigan and Georgia.
Bell begins the week fifth in the Southern Conference in batting average (.455), while ranking in a three-way tie for second in stolen bases (5). In the circle, Batson sits fifth in the SoCon in ERA (2.07).
Scouting the Opposition – Gardner-Webb Runnin' Bulldogs:
Gardner-Webb comes into Tuesday's action with a 6-2 record after dropping a 6-3 decision on Saturday to Sacred Heart. The loss to Sacred Heart snapped a six-game win streak for the Runnin' Bulldogs who opened the season with wins over West Georgia, Drexel, Iona, and Sacred Heart to get out to the fast start. GWU has played all eight games of its 2025 season on its home turf.
The Runnin' Bulldogs were picked fourth in a seven-team Big South Preseason Poll as graduate infielder Araceli Pesqueira garnered Preseason All-Big South honors. Bailey Wigness is in her fourth season at the helm for Gardner-Webb after spending three seasons leading DII USC Beaufort.
Gardner-Webb's offense is paced by junior infielder Ella Christopher, who's recorded a scorching hot .655 batting average with 19 hits including three doubles, a triple, and three homers. Christopher's average ranks seventh in the nation as she's knocked in a league-high 15 runs. Junior outfielder Maura Pendleton sits at a .471 average followed by freshman pitcher/outfielder Lauren Spainhower who is hitting a .421 clip.
The Runnin' Bulldogs are led in the circle by freshman Hannah Frye, who went 2-0 as she's allowed two earned runs in 14.2 innings pitched with a team-high 11 strikeouts. Junior Kalyn Kyle has seen action in four games while allowing three earned runs in 9.1 innings of work. Gardner-Webb sits atop the league in ERA (2.38).
WCU and Gardner-Webb have met 19 times ahead of Tuesday's doubleheader with the Catamounts holding a slim 10-9 lead in the all-time series. The Runnin' Bulldogs come into Tuesday's tilt winning all three of the 2024 meetings including two in Boiling Springs. The Catamounts are looking for their first series road win since taking two back in 2023. GWU has won six of the prior nine meetings on its home field.
On Deck for Western Carolina:
Following Tuesday's doubleheader in Boiling Springs, the Catamounts return to Georgia for a doubleheader against Sun Belt foe Georgia State at Bob Heck Softball Complex on Wednesday, Feb. 26. The Catamounts and Panthers meet for a single game beginning at 6 p.m. The game will have live stats available on CatamountSports.com.
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