March 12, 2003

Box Score

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Michelle Wright went 3-3 with five RBI including her first career grand slam and Kelly Smith went a combined 3-6 with six RBI as Samford swept Alabama State 7-0, 15-0 Wednesday night at Bulldog Field.

Samford improves to 10-6 on the season reaching the 10-win mark in just 16 games, the fastest in school history. The Bulldogs had been 10-7 in 1995 and 2002.

Smith was the hero of game one as she drove in three of Samford's first four runs in the opener. Her one-out single in the fourth inning put the Bulldogs up 2-0. She added a two-RBI double in the sixth as a part of a five-run sixth inning. The Bulldogs took advantage of four ASU errors as six of Samford's runs were unearned. Emilee Lewis picked up the win in the opener to improve to 3-2 on the year. She pitched seven shutout innings giving up six hits and walking two while striking out a career-high 10 batters. Patricia Del Real took the loss for the Lady Hornets giving up 10 hits and fanning four.

Samford opened game two with a five spot in the first inning after two were out. The highlight of the inning was a three-run home run by Smith to straight away centerfield. The blast was her first of the year. Angela Bednark had a two-RBI single in the inning. Bednark added an RBI ground out in the second inning as the Bulldogs scored four more runs to take a 9-0 lead after two innings. In the third, the first six Samford batters reached base and scored. Lewis led off with a single. Deanna Resmondo walked. Sarah Godfrey doubled to right field to score Lewis. Erin Landsburg singled to score Resmondo. Abi Casillo walked to load the bases for Wright. Wright's blast over the left field wall was her fifth home run of the season and the 13th of her career. She passed Janet Middleton for second place on Samford's career home run list.

Landsburg was the beneficiary of the run support as she improved to 4-2 on the year. She threw five shutout innings giving up four hits and fanning 10 batters. Rosalie Ramirez took the loss for ASU.

Samford will host the Bulldogs Invitational this weekend. Alabama A&M and Eastern Illinois will open the tournament at Noon on Saturday. Samford will face Alabama A&M at 2 p.m. and Eastern Illinois at 4 p.m. The tournament will continue with games on Sunday.