Feb. 7, 2003
The Samford Baseball Team will open its 2003 campaign when the Bulldogs host the Virginia Military Institute Saturday and Sunday in a three-game series. Saturday's doubleheader is set for 1 p.m. while the teams will face off Sunday at 1p.m. Friday's game was postponed due to field conditions after rain in the area Thursday. Fans can follow game action via gametracker at www.samfordsports.com.
The Bulldogs open the season against VMI (0-3) for the second straight year. The Bulldogs swept the Keydets, 3-0, last season in the opener. Samford plays two nonconference series and a single game at Auburn before starting Atlantic Sun Conference play in two weeks. The Bulldogs are picked sixth in the A-Sun Preseason Media and Coaches Polls. Head coach Tim Parenton picked up his 100th career victory in the final regular season game last season against Belmont. Samford advanced to the conference tournament for the first time under Parenton.
VMI opened its season last week against No. 2 Florida State. The Seminoles swept the Keydets, 12-4, 5-1 and 10-3. Brandon Massenbur led VMI going 3-for-7 with one RBI and two runs scored. Kelly Sweppenhise had four hits in the series. Senior right-hander Phil Hendrix held the Seminoles to one earned run in 5.2 innings in game two, but FSU added two late runs to win 5-1. Thus far in the season, the Keydets are hitting .173 with 7 RBI and eight runs scored. The team's ERA is 9.78.
Last Time against VMI,senior right-handed pitcher Frank Allen Yeilding had the series' highlight throwing a no-hiter in his first collegiate start as the Bulldogs defeated the Keydets, 2-0, in the second game of the series. Samford won the first game 11-1 and wrapped up the series with an 11-7 win. Sae Evans finished the series 5-for-11 with five RBI and two runs scored. Robert Evans was 4-for-10 with two RBI and two runs scored.
Samford is 3-0 all-time against the Keydets under Parenton sweeping last season's home opener.
After the VMI series, the Bulldogs hit the road for their first road game of the season. Samford travels to Auburn Tueday at 3 p.m. The Bulldogs defeated the Tigers, 5-2, last season in Plainsmark Park.
