BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. - Charleston Southern dropped a pair of conference games on the road vs. the Gardner-Webb Runnin' Bulldogs, falling 3-2 and 7-5 Saturday, at Varsity Field. The Bucs had seventh inning runs in both games, but couldn't complete either comeback in a pair of close losses. With the losses, CSU dropped to 24-26-1 and 7-10 in the Big South, while GWU improved to 17-28 with a 7-9 mark in conference play.

Megan Hall paced the Buccaneer offense, posting two hits, two RBIs and two runs scored over both games. Shayla Cullum had a big game in the second contest, posting three hits and an RBI. Jana Matthews and Jessica Peters-Brock also chipped in with multiple hits on the day. Christa Fullword was on fire at the plate for the Bulldogs, hitting 4 for 6 to go along with three runs scored and an RBI.

In game one, CSU came up short in a pitchers duel, with just nine combined hits for both teams in the game. The Bucs got on the board first however, scoring a run in the top of the first after a solo homerun for Megan Hall. The homer was Hall's sixth of the year, to give CSU an early 1-0 advantage.

GWU fired back in the bottom of the inning, generating a run on two hits to tie the score at 1-1. The Bulldogs posted a lead-off single from Fullword, who advanced in to scoring position after a sacrifice bunt. Kelsey Witter came up with an RBI hit from there, using a single up the middle as the equalizer.

Both pitchers settled in from there, with a pair of blank innings to follow. Sondra Vetter started in the circle for CSU, retiring six consecutive batters in the second and third innings. The Bucs couldn't get much at the plate either, with another scoreless inning in the fourth, despite a single from Matthews.

GWU took control of the lead in the bottom of the fourth, with another solo homerun, this time from Mandy Ward. The Bulldogs couldn't get anything else going at the plate, but Ward's lead-off homer put GWU up 2-1.

The Bulldogs capitalized on another leadoff hit in the bottom of the sixth, as Ward sent a double out to center field to start the inning. Ward advanced to third thanks to a CSU miscue, and would later score on a Lindsea Hutchinson RBI groundout. The Bucs managed to get out of the inning after another groundout and flyout, but went in to the final inning trailing 3-1.

CSU looked to make a game out of it in the top of the seventh, testing GWU with two hits and a run in the inning. Matthews started the rally with a one-out single to left center. Peters-Brock kept things going, tallying a single that put two on with two out. Melissa Adams reach on an error from there, as Matthews managed to score an unearned run to make it a 3-2 score. The Bucs couldn't complete the comeback however, as a groundout helped the Bulldogs hold on for the final 3-2 win.

Christine Murray picked up the win to improve 9-14, after allowing just two hits and one earned run in five innings of work. Cindy Boomhower was credited with her second save of the season, after allowing two hits and a run in two innings of relief. Vetter took the tough luck loss and dropped to 8-15, after allowing five hits and three earned runs.

Game One Box

GWU kept the momentum in game two, coming alive at the plate to score seven runs on 10 hits, while never surrendering the lead. The Bulldogs scored runs in each of the first five innings, en route to the win.

Fullword set the pace for the game, sending out a lead-off solo home run in the bottom of the first, to put GWU on the board first. The Bulldogs opened the game up in the bottom of the second, adding three more to their lead after four hits in the inning. Jane Savage and McKenzie Morenus tallied RBI hits, while helping GWU to go up 4-0 after two complete innings.

CSU had a hit in each of the first two innings and added two more in the third, to get on the board with two runs. Kristin Kelleher started off with a walk and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Hall managed to take advantage, using an RBI single to center to bring home Kelleher. After Hall stole second and advanced to third on an error, Cullum also posted an RBI hit, to make it a 4-2 score.

The Bulldogs managed to answer with a run in the bottom of the inning, thanks to a lead-off homer from Kelsey Witter. The homerun marked the third lead-off bomb of the day for GWU, to put the Bulldogs on top 5-2.

GWU added a run in each of the next two innings, making it five consecutive innings with runs scored. A pair of doubles got the job done in the fourth, with Morenus receiving the RBI hit. The homeruns kept coming for the Bulldogs, as Hutchinson sent out yet another lead-off homer in the fifth. GWU couldn't plate anymore, but held a 7-2 lead through five innings.

CSU tried their bid at a comeback, again in the top of the seventh, posting three runs on two hits. Cullum and Peters-Brock reached base after a single and hit by pitch, to put two on with one out. Erin Kegley looked to keep the game within reach, sending out a three run homer to cut the deficit to 7-5. The offense proved to be too little too late however, as the Bulldogs held on for the final 7-5 score.

Cindy Boomhower picked up the win to improve to 6-10, after allowing eight hits and four earned runs in a complete game. Kimberly Hobbs took the loss and dropped to 9-7, after allowing 10 hits and seven runs in five innings of work.

Game Two Box

The Bucs will look to take the final game of the series, playing game three tomorrow at 1 p.m.