\n Story Links
\n
<\/p>\n
OXFORD, AL\u00a0– The Gardner-Webb softball team is on the road for the first time in 2026 this weekend, taking on Northwestern State, DePaul and hosts Jacksonville State in the Jax State Tournament from February 20th through the 22nd<\/p>\n
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20th
\nvs Northwestern State – 12 pm
\nvs DePaul – 2:30 pm<\/p>\n
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 21st
\nvs Northwestern State – 10 am
\nat Jacksonville State – 3 pm<\/p>\n
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 22nd
\nat Jacksonville State – 3 pm<\/p>\n
SERIES HISTORY: There is little history between Gardner-Webb, Jacksonville State, Northwestern State and DePaul. The Runnin’ Bulldogs have played Northwestern State and Jacksonville State just once each all-time, with GWU scoring a 3-2 win over the Gamecocks in\u00a0Lubbock, Texas in 2019 and falling 8-2 to the Demons in February of 2023 during an early season tournament in Louisiana<\/p>\n
LAST TIME OUT:\u00a0Though the event was cut one day short, the Runnin’ Bulldogs finished an impressive 3-1 at last weekend’s Red and Black Classic. Gardner-Web nearly rallied from down eight runs before losing a wild 11-10 opener to Lehigh on Friday night before a 6-4 win over Queens to earn a split, then a 4-1 win over Tennessee Tech and a 7-3 win over Lehigh on Saturday<\/p>\n
BIG BOPPERS: So far in 2026, the Runnin’ Bulldogs have been led by the middle of a power-hitting lineup. GWU has three players to this point in the season battling over .400 and six who have recorded at least 10 hits. Notable among those is senior catcher Taylor Dreher<\/a> who is batting .423, slugging a team-best .846, and has nine doubles in 26 at-bats, and senior two-way player Alli Stidham<\/a> who in addition to 10.1 innings pitched, is hitting .429 with 12 hits and 10 runs batted in so far. Both have received Big South Player of The Week nominations, with Dreher winning the award during Opening Weekend<\/p>\n IN THE CIRCLE:\u00a0The Runnin’ Bulldogs pitching staff responded in a big way during the Red and Black\u00a0Classic. After allowing 11 runs to Lehigh last Friday, the Dawgs combined to allow just eight runs in the next three games combined. Among the starts in a major bounce-back weekend were freshman right-hander Glenna McLamb<\/a>. McLamb tossed 6.1 innings, and allowed three earned runs over two appearances, including the final 2.1 innings and a shutout in relief against Tennessee Tech. The Godwin, N.C. native relived sophomore right-hander Hannah Frye<\/a> against Tennessee Tech, who posted a quality start and a win with 4.2 innings, five hits, and one run allowed<\/p>\n