CHARLESTON, S.C. - Charleston Southern looked to take an important conference series with a win over the Gardner-Webb Bulldogs Saturday, at Buccaneer Field. The Bucs made it a dramatic finish, with a 4-3 win in extra innings to move to fourth in the conference standings. The win improved CSU's overall record to 23-27 with a 7-8 Big South mark, while GWU dropped to 17-22 and 6-9 in the conference.

Jamie Wellons dominated the game, picking up the win after stepping in the circle in the fifth. She also led the team with three hits and two RBIs, including the game winning hit in the bottom of the eighth. Melissa Adams recorded two hits on the day, while Megan Hall also chipped in with an RBI hit.

The Bulldogs reached the scoreboard first in the second, taking advantage of a leadoff walk and two hits in the inning. Sondra Vetter got the starting nod for CSU and stranded one after GWU took a 1-0 advantage.

The Bucs waited until the fourth inning to get the bats going, but rallied for three runs on three hits and one Bulldog error. Megan Lombard started the inning off with a full swing bunt, to reach on a single. A sac bunt from Amy Trenkamp moved Lombard into scoring position and Hall came through with an RBI single to left center. A Wellons double and sac fly from Lisa Rice would tally two more, giving CSU a 3-1 lead.

Coming right back in the fifth, GWU tied it up at three apiece after two runs and three hits. Wellons stepped in for Vetter to get out of the inning, stranding two on base.

Both teams left runners on base in the next two innings, forcing the third extra inning game of the year for the Bucs. Three batters were retired in order in the top of the eighth, giving CSU a chance for the win.

Another sac bunt from Trenkamp put a runner at third with one out. A walk and a strikeout brought up Wellons with two on and two out in the bottom of the eighth. The Bulldogs decided to intentionally walk Wellons, but instead she reached for the third ball, sending it into left field for the winning RBI hit. The Bucs capped off the weekend with the 4-3 win, taking the series with GWU 2-1.

Next up, CSU will have a doubleheader rematch against the College of Charleston on Wednesday, before finishing out the regular season vs. Radford with a three game weekend series.