April 12, 2001

Box Score

MACON, Ga. - The Samford softball team maintained its lead in the Trans America Athletic Conference standings by sweeping the Mercer Bears (22-30, 1-7 TAAC) in TAAC action at Bear Field Thursday afternoon. The Bulldogs (19-30, 5-1 TAAC) won 3-0 in game one and 7-1 in game two.

Angela Bednark led the offensive attack for Samford in game one as she finished 2 for 3 with an RBI. The Bulldogs scored single runs in the first and second innings and added one more in the sixth. It was all that pitcher Brianne Mertens would need. She scattered two hits, walked just one and fanned 11 in improving to 12-14 on the year.

Mercer's Kristi Montgomery (13-13) took the loss after allowing five hits and two earned runs while striking out two. Erin Jalbert and Nikki Bowey had the only hits for the Bears.

Samford jumped out early in game two with four unearned runs in the first inning and then put the game away with three more scores in the third. Jennifer Graham led the way with a 3 for 4 performance and four RBI. Teammate Mindy Shunnarah also recorded three hits in the win and Mertens was 2 for 4 with 2 runs scored.

Erin Landsburg improved to 5-11 on the year as she struck out a season high six Bears. She has allowed just one run in each of her last three starts.

Erin Jalbert went 3 for 4 with Mercer's lone RBI while Montgomery went 2 for 3. Freshman Chris Mattice took the loss after allowing four hits and four unearned runs in one inning of work.

Samford returns to action on Saturday. The Bulldogs will face defending TAAC champion Florida Atlantic at 5 p.m.