CHARLESTON, S.C. - The Charleston Southern softball team could maintain their 7-1 lead, as they fell to the Gardner-Webb Runnin' Bulldogs by a 9-8 score in the final game of the 2025 regular season. 

Tied at one in the bottom of the fourth inning, the Buccaneers' (20-27, 9-9 in conference) bats caught fire, as they scored six runs in the inning and sent 11 batters to the plate. With two runners on, Gracie Prince and Jordyn Dimond hit back-to-back singles to bring in runs and make it a 3-1 game.

Then, Emma Villaescusa brought in Prince and Dimond with a two-run triple. Then, in her final home game of her career, Weslin Jones hit her first home run of the season and the second of her career on the first pitch to make it a 7-1 game.

The Runnin' Bulldogs (22-29, 5-13 in conference) did not go away quietly, taking advantage of three Buccaneer errors on the afternoon. Mackenzie Rutkoff was able to get out of the top of the fifth inning with a 7-4 lead; however, she came away with the no decision, as the Runnin' Bulldogs took a 9-7 lead in the top of the sixth inning. 

The Buccaneers tried to rally in the bottom of the seventh inning, as Harper Schoeneweis slapped an RBI double to left field scoring Blakley Kingsmore to make it a one-run game. With two outs, the Runnin' Bulldogs got Prince to fly out to salvage the series and avoid the sweep. 

Kinsey Clopton suffered the defeat for the Buccaneers, as she entered the game in the top of the sixth inning and allowed three runs on three hits and two walks in 0.1 innings pitched. Riley Lauffer finished the game for Charleston Southern, throwing 1.1 scoreless inning with two strikeouts.

Charleston Southern finished the regular season with a 20-27 record and were 9-9 in the Big South. This is the third-straight year they have finished conference play with a .500 record or better. They will find their place in the Big South Tournament in the coming days. Postseason play begins on May 7 in Clinton, S.C. on the campus of Presbyterian College.