BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – Campbell swept Gardner-Webb to open up Big South play on Friday evening at Brinkley Stadium. The Camels opened the day with an 11-8 victory over the Runnin' Bulldogs and followed up with an 8-4 win to close out the day.

This is Campbell's first sweep of a doubleheader thus far in 2018. With the two wins, the Fighting Camels move back to .500 at 12-12, while the Runnin' Bulldogs fall to 14-12 on the season.

Game one: Campbell 11, Gardner-Webb 8

Rachel McCollum and Lizabeth McCurry combined for six hits, two home runs, three runs and five RBI to lead Campbell to an 11-8 victory over Gardner-Webb in the series opener.

The Camels got off to a quick start, plating four runs in the first inning to jump out to a 4-0 lead. Madison Herring scored off of a sacrifice fly by Caroline Smith, McCollum was brought home by a Bri Bryant single, and McCurry brought home two runs via a home run to right field.

CU tacked on another run in the second inning to extend the lead to 5-0. McCollum knocked a single to right field to bring home Herring for her second run of the game.

The Runnin' Bulldogs plated one run each in the second and third inning to cut Campbell's lead to three runs at 5-2. Jenna Wacaster scored in the second, and Andria Booth followed with a run of her own in the third.

Campbell responded in the fifth inning, scoring three runs to take an 8-2 lead over Gardner-Webb. McCollum started off the scoring with a solo home run to center field, her ninth of the year. With two on and two out, McCurry smacked a single to left center field to score Bryant and Megan Mozingo.

A two-run homer by Katie Prebble in the fifth cut the Camels' lead in half at 8-4, but CU again fired back by plating two runs in the sixth. The Fighting Camels tacked on two more runs in the seventh to take a seven run lead with three outs remaining.

The Runnin' Bulldogs rallied in the bottom of the seventh, scoring four runs to cut the lead to three at 11-8, but a fly out to center field secured the victory for the Camels.

Megan Richards (8-5) picked up the win after allowing five hits and four runs in 4.1 innings pitched, while striking out five. Haley Hutchins pitched two innings in relief, while Lexy Head pitched the final 0.2 innings to earn her second career save.

Ashley Wark (9-6) was charged with the loss after conceding 10 hits and eight runs across 4.2 innings pitched. Madi Lewis and Laken Myers also appeared in the circle for GWU in the series opener.

Game two: Campbell 8, Gardner-Webb 4

Campbell scored six unanswered runs to overcome a two-run deficit and defeat Gardner-Webb, 8-4, in the second game of the day. With the win, the Camels earned the series victory over the Runnin' Bulldogs for the sixth consecutive year.

Smith opened up the scoring with a two-run home run to left center field to give the Camels a 2-0 lead in the first inning. McCollum also scored on the play, as she reached base via a double to left center.

GWU responded in the bottom of the first, plating one run to cut CU's lead in half at 2-1. The Runnin' Bulldogs quickly loaded the bases with consecutive singles and a walk and got on the board after a Kaylee Wacaster single scored Booth. The Campbell defense secured three straight outs to strand three Gardner-Webb runners on base.

In the third, Gardner-Webb took a 4-2 lead off of a three-run home run by Rachel Cumisky. The long ball to left field also scored Prebble and Kaylee Wacaster, who reached base off of a single and double, respectively.

The Camels plated two runs in the fourth inning to knot it up at 4-4. Christa Hall, who got on base with a lead-off walk, scored via a wild pitch to cut it to a one run lead. Two plays later, Mozingo smacked a single to center field to bring home Herring and tie it up for the Camels.

Hannah McCravy scored the game-winning run for the Fighting Camels in the sixth inning, as she scored off of an error by the Runnin' Bulldog defense. CU tacked on three security runs in the final inning to bring the game to the final score of 8-4.

Richards (9-5) picked up her second win of the day, pitching three innings of hitless play in relief, while striking out three batters. Head got the start for the Camels, allowing nine hits and four runs across four innings.

Wark (9-7) was charged with the loss after giving up six hits and five runs during three innings pitched for the Runnin' Bulldogs. Sam Harrell started for GWU, conceding two hits and three runs in four innings.

Up next

The Camels conclude the series versus Gardner-Webb tomorrow, with first pitch slated for 12 p.m. at Brinkley Stadium. For the latest information on Campbell softball, make sure to follow @GoCamelsSB on Twitter.