Box Score
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BOILING SPRINGS, NC – A three-run fifth inning lifted Winthrop to a 7-5 victory over Gardner-Webb completing a three-game sweep, Sunday afternoon in Big South Conference softball action.

Winthrop improves to 20-17 on the year and 8-5 in the Big South while Gardner-Webb falls to 4-25 overall and 1-12 in the league. Winthrop steps away from league play for a midweek contest at Appalachian State on Tuesday, April 9 with the doubleheader starting at 4 p.m.

“We got ahead early and they came back on us but what I really liked is how we continued to battle,” said Winthrop head coach Mark Cooke. “I'm happy with the way we played and like how we're coming together. It's our first 20-win season in a couple of years and I'm obviously happy with that. I'd like to congratulate Chelsey Schoenfeldt on her accomplishment.”

It was the three-run fifth that propelled the Eagles to the win and the series sweep. Kristy Noble led off with a walk and McKenzi Corn singled to put runners at first and second with no outs. Schoenfeldt struck out, but then Kathryn Eberlin singled to load the bases.  Then pinch-runner Kim Ryder and Corn scored on an error by Gardner-Webb third baseman Jordyn Arrowood as the Eagles took a 6-4 lead. The lead moved to 7-4 when White came around to score on a wild pitch.

Schoenfeldt hit a two-run home run in the top of the third inning for a 2-0 lead. The home run was her 12^th of the season, setting a school record for homers in a single-season. The previous record of 11 was held by Janiva Willis and Kjersti Johnson, which they did in 2004. Alex White followed Schoenfeldt with her seventh home run of the season, a two-run shot to left. Eberlin scored on White's home run as she followed Schoenfeldt with a walk.

Gardner-Webb responded in the bottom of the third inning to tie the game at 4-4. Taylar Pridgen drew a one-out walk followed by a triple down the right field line by Samantha Meenaghan to make it 4-1 Winthrop. That was followed by a bunt single from Kellie Beres and an error allowed Beres to advance to second and Meenaghan to score. After Morgan Baker was hit-by-a-pitch, Savannah Burns ripped a double to the gap in left center scoring two runs to tie the game.

Winthrop had a chance to jump ahead in the top of the second as Schoenfeldt led off with a single followed by a walk by Eberlin. White singled to center, but Schoenfeldt was thrown out at home plate after getting caught in a rundown. Two batters later, Jenna Harbin walked to load the bases, but pinch-hitter Melanie Andrea flew out to center to end the inning.

Sutton Watson started the game for the Eagles, but left after allowing four runs on four hits with a walk and two strikeouts in 2.1 innings of work. Schoenfeldt came in relief for the second straight game to earn the win as she allowed one run on five hits with no walks and four strikeouts in 4.2 innings. Schoenfeldt is 2-4 on the year.

Schoenfeldt ended the day with two hits and two RBI while Corn was 1-for-3 and is now just one hit shy of 100 in her career. Both reached base for the 14^th straight game. Noble went 1-for-3 as she extended her hitting streak to seven games. White finished 2-for-4 with two runs and three RBI.

Jessica Childers started in the circle for the Runnin' Bulldogs, but left after 2.2 innings as she allowed four runs on five hits with three walks and two strikeouts. It was Ashley Rhyne that took the loss as she allowed three runs on three hits in 4.1 innings. She walked three and struck out three as she fell to 2-10.