Date Posted: 5/8/2008

DeLAND, Fla. - In a game that saw four solo home runs clear the fence, it was a bases loaded walk that helped No. 6 Gardner-Webb upset top-seeded Lipscomb, 3-2, on the opening day of the 2008 Atlantic Sun Softball Championship.

Lipscomb is the first top-seed to drop the first game in the A-Sun Championship since No. 1 Georgia State fell to No. 6 Stetson in 1998.

Heather Collins got the Bisons off to a good start, taking a delivery from Gardner-Webb-starter Christine Murray over the outfield wall in the second inning, resulting in a 1-0 Lipscomb lead.

The fourth inning proved to be the difference, as Jessi Williams led off with a solo shot and pinch-hitter Ashley Whitlock drew a bases loaded walk to put the Bulldogs ahead, 2-1.

Melody Harrell gave Gardner-Webb a much needed insurance run with a solo home run in top-half of the fifth inning, extending the Bulldog lead to two, 3-1.

Lipscomb got a lift from Christen Campbell in the bottom of the sixth, as her solo bomb cut the lead to 3-2. In their last at-bat, the Bisons got the leadoff batter on, but stranded her at second to end the game.

Taryn Beck picked up the win in relief for the Bulldogs, throwing the last five innings and allowing only three hits. Kim Jacobson took the loss for Lipscomb, giving up two earned runs and walking four in four innings of work.

Gardner-Webb advances to the winner's bracket for the second-consecutive season and is set to play Mercer at 6:00 p.m. Thursday. The Bisons, who defeated the Bulldogs twice during the regular season, still seeks their first A-Sun Championship victory in their third appearance. The Bisons play the loser of the No. 2 Stetson vs. No. 5 Campbell contest at 4:00 p.m. Thursday.

Related Links:
 • A-Sun Softball Championship