Samford University
Mississippi Valley State
Denson's Two-Run Homer lifts Samford over MVSU, 13-12
2.17.02 | Baseball
Feb. 17, 2002
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Sophomore third baseman Joe Denson hit a two-run home run over the left field wall in the bottom of the eighth inning and junior left-handed pitcher Robert Evans forced the last three outs to get the save as Samford rallied to defeat Mississippi Valley State, 13-12 Sunday afternoon at Joe Lee Griffin Field. The Bulldogs snapped a two-game losing streak, improving to 5-2 overall - their best start under head coach Tim Parenton - while the Devils fell to 0-10.
Samford overcame four errors in the game to rally for the victory. Senior right-hander Matt Fields (1-0) picked up his first win of the season in relief duty. Fields gave up one run in 2.1 innings and recorded three strikeouts. Robert Evans earned his first save of the year after striking out two Devil batters and forcing a ground out to second base.
The Bulldogs looked to be in trouble early as Mississippi Valley State took an early 5-0 lead after three innings. The Devils scored two runs in the first inning - one coming on a balk by starting pitcher Derek Tharpe and the second coming on an error by second baseman Michael Collins.
Mississippi Valley State added one run in the top of the second inning on an RBI single by Robert Reynolds. The Devils added two more runs in the top of the third inning on an RBI triple by Temetric Thomas and a sacrifice bunt by Donnell Robinson for the 5-0 advantage.
Samford rallied in the bottom part of the third to tie the game at 5. After sophomore second baseman Michael Collins and junior left fielder Mario White walked, Sae Evans singled to left field to load the bases. Robert Evans was then hit by a pitch to bring home one run and cut Samford's deficit to 4-1. Designated hitter Major Allred followed with a three-RBI double to the left center field wall, clearing the bases and pulling Samford closer at 5-4. After Grant Caldwell singled and stole second, Heath Owen's sacrifice scored Allred, tying the game.
The Devils regained the lead 7-5 with two runs on three hits in the top of the fourth inning. However, Samford tied the score at 7 in the bottom half of the fourth on an MVSU error scoring Denson, who led off the inning with a single. Robert Evans then followed with an RBI single.
The Bulldogs took their first lead of the game in the fifth inning when Collins singled to center field to score Denson again, giving Samford the 8-7 lead. But Mississippi Valley State managed to go-ahead one more time, 11-8 with four runs on four hits and two Bulldog errors in the sixth inning. Samford cut its deficit to one run, 11-9 on an RBI single up the middle by Caldwell.
Samford scored two runs in the bottom of the seventh on an RBI-single by Robert Evans and a sacrifice hit by Allred tying the game at 11. The Devils regained the lead in the top of the eighth inning on a solo home run to center field by Tim Klick.
After Heath Owen walked to lead off the bottom of the eighth inning and Josh Rhodes, who was pinch running for Owen, stole second, Denson unleashed his third home run of the season over the left field wall to put Samford ahead for good.
Denson finished the game 3-for-5 with two RBI and three runs scored. Michael Collins went 2-for-2 with an RBI while Sae Evans, Robert Evans and Allred each went 2-for-5. Allred had four RBI. Caldwell finished the game 2-for-4 with an RBI.
Tharpe (2-0) got a no decision despite striking out eight batters - one shy of his career best. He pitched 5.1 innings, allowing 8 runs on 10 hits. Joseph Liberto (0-1) took the loss for MVSU.
Samford returns to action Friday when the Bulldogs host Southeastern Louisiana in game one of a three-game series. The first pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m. at Joe Lee Griffin Field.
