April 9, 2004

Box Score

RICHMOND, Ky. - Samford and Eastern Kentucky met in an Ohio Valley Conference softball doubleheader with first place on the line Friday afternoon. When it was over, EKU remained in first place taking game one 6-0 and game two 7-6.

Eastern Kentucky (26-11, 9-1 OVC) powered past the Bulldogs in game one hitting a pair of two run home runs and pitcher Kelsey Anderson (10-5) did not allow a hit until the seventh inning.

Kelly Smith broke up Anderson's no-hit bid with a single to centerfield with two outs in the seventh. Smith went 3-for-4 in game two with a pair of RBI as Samford (14-25, 6-4 OVC) took a 3-0 lead in the first inning of the second game.

Jenna Dempski, and Shelley Stanley had back-to-back singles in front of Smith's first RBI single. Abi Casillo doubled to left to score Stanley and Smith scored when the EKU leftfielder bobbled the ball.

EKU scored five unearned runs in the bottom of the first to put the Colonels on top. EKU extended the lead to 7-3 after two innings. Only one run was earned off Samford starter Susanna Meyer (9-7).

Samford pulled to within one with three runs in the third inning. Smith singled to right field to score Erin Hall with run number four. Alicia Harris had a bases loaded double to score Smith and Casillo.

EKU's fourth pitcher of the game, Beth Conner (3-0) came in to shut the Bulldogs down for an inning and two thirds to pick up the win. Starting pitcher Kindal Kincad re-entered the game in the sixth inning to record her second save of the season.

The Colonels had 10 hits in the first game and 12 in the second game to guarantee they will remain in first place in the conference after this weekend.

Anderson and Adriel Foxley each hit home runs in the opener as Eastern scored two runs in the second, three in the third, and one in the fourth. Samford never really threaten in the opener but had 12 hits and left 10 runners on base in the nightcap.

Stanley broke Samford's single-season walk record as she received a free pass three times in game two to give her 26 base-on-balls for the season. Smith increased her hitting streak to a season-high six games. Emily Lewis pitched the final 3.2 innings of game two allowing just two hits and a walk. It was her first appearance since March 14.

The Bulldogs and Colonels will finish their three-game series Saturday afternoon at Noon Eastern Time.