April 30, 2003

Box Score

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - - Frank Allen Yeilding and Stephen Artz combined to hold No. 22 Alabama to two runs on six hits and freshman Justin Klinger belted two home runs as Samford upset the Crimson Tide, 8-2, Wednesday night at Sewell-Thomas Stadium. It was Tim Parenton's first victory over the Crimson Tide and Samford's first win in the series since 1992 when the Bulldogs swept the Crimson Tide.

Yeilding (2-6), who last started a game Mar. 21 against UCF, threw a one-hitter through five innings and struck out four before being relieved by Artz. Artz gave up two runs on five hits in four innings and struck out four to pick up his first career save. The two didn't allow an Alabama base runner to reach second until the bottom of the eighth inning. Klinger had a career day going 3-for-5 with three RBI and two home runs. Heath Owen finished 3-for-4 with one run scored. Jeffrey Norris (5-2) suffered the loss allowing four earned runs in 3 1/3 innings. Adam Pavkovich led the Crimson Tide going 2-for-4.

Samford took an early 1-0 lead in the top of the second. Klinger singled to right field and advanced to third Heath Owen's single to right field. Eric Hollis grounded out into a double play, but Klinger scored the Bulldogs first run.

David Henry's leadoff double in the top of the third led to Samford's second run. Joe Denson sacrificed Henry to third. Henry scored when Alabama catcher Bobby Burns was called for scooping up a wild pitch with his mask giving the Bulldogs a 2-0 lead.

Justin Klinger's fifth home run of the season gave the Bulldogs a 5-0 lead in the top of the fourth. Kip Snowden's RBI double scored Heath Owen who doubled to get on base as the Bulldogs led 4-0.

Samford pushed across another run in the top of fifth. Singles by Matt Alling and Robert Evans and a walk by Michael Collins loaded the bases with one out. Klinger grounded out scoring Alling making it, 5-0.

Stephen Artz earned his first career save when held the Crimson Tide to two runs on five hits in four innings while striking out four.

Alabama fielding problems led to three unearned runs in the top of the seventh as the Bulldogs took an 8-0 lead. Denson, Alling and Collins all reached on errors. Denson scored on a throwing error making it 6-0. Robert Evans flied out to right field to score Alling for a 7-0 lead. Klinger belted his second home run of the game to deep center field giving the Bulldogs the eight run lead.

The Crimson Tide scored their first run in the bottom of the eighth on Bobby Burns RBI single ruining the shutout making it, 8-1. Zac Welch's solo home run in the bottom of the ninth provided Alabama's last run.

Samford outhit Alabama, 12-6. The Crimson Tide committed four errors in the contest. Parenton has beaten at least one Southeastern Conference team every season.

The Bulldogs return to action this weekend when they host McNeese State in a nonconference series.