April 23, 2003

Box Score

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Derek Griffith and Wes Letson combined for 11 strikeouts and Ryan Griffith's three-run homer sparked a four-run fifth inning as Birmingham-Southern knocked off Samford, 9-2, at Scrushy Striplin Field Wednesday night. The Bulldogs (13-28) outhit the Panthers, 9-8, but BSC held the Bulldogs to two earned runs.

Birmingham-Southern used its top two aces to hold Samford to the two runs. Letson (5-2) picked up the win in relief allowing one earned run in five innings while striking out six. Derek Griffith held the Bulldogs to one run in four innings on five hits and struck out five. Lee Brady (1-2) suffered the loss for Samford. Brady allowed five earned runs in 4 2/3 innings and struck out three. Michael Cline and Ryan Griffith each went 2-for-3 with three RBI.

BSC took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first on Cline's RBI single scoring Adam Pease, who led off the game with a walk. Samford tied the game in the top of the second. Sae Evans singled and advanced to second on Heath Owen's single through the right side. Ehren Wassermann singled to center field to load the bases with one. Joe Denson flied out to left field scoring Sae Evans tying the game, 1-1. Derek Griffith struck out Matt Alling to end Samford's threat.

Matt Godwin's RBI single made it 2-1 in the bottom of the third. BSC scored the four runs in the bottom of the fifth. After Cline walked and Connor Robertson singled to center field, Godwin drove in Cline pushing the Panthers ahead, 3-1. Ryan Griffith followed with his home run to right field clearing the bases for a 6-1 BSC lead.

BSC added an unearned run in the bottom of the seventh to go on top, 7-1. The Bulldogs pulled within 7-2 in the top of the eighth. Michael Collins singled and moved to third on Robert Evans' double to right center. Eric Hollis grounded out to score Collins.

Cline's two-run double in the bottom of the eighth made for the final runs of the game. Godwin finished the game 2-for-4 with two RBI and one run scored. Michael Collins and Heath Owen each went 2-for-4 for Samford.

The Bulldogs hit the road again when they travel to Stetson this weekend for an Atlantic Sun Conference series. Friday's game is set to begin at 7 p.m. (EST) with Saturday's doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m.