Feb. 24, 2006

Samford-Marist Box Score

Samford-Western Michigan Box Score

DELAND, Fla. - The Samford University softball team earned two wins on day one of the Stetson University Invitational Tournament on Friday in DeLand, Fla. The Bulldogs used eight innings to inch past Marist in game one, 1-0, and then topped Western Michigan, 7-2, in the second game.

With the pair of wins, Samford (4-8) extended its winning streak to three-consecutive games and will return to action on Saturday against tournament-host Stetson and UCF.

In game one, the Bulldogs and Red Foxes played 7 1/2 innings of scoreless softball before Samford's Shelley Stanley drove in Liz Pearse for the game-winning run.

In the eighth inning, Pearse was placed on second base due to the international tie-breaker rule and Stanley singled through the right side of the infield to send Pearse home for the victory.

Junior Susanna Meyer got the start for Samford but left the game in the sixth inning with no score and a no-decision.

The Bulldogs' native of Davie, Fla., hurled a 6 2/3 inning shutout. She scattered four hits, walked two and struck out two.

Samford's Emilee Lewis closed out the seventh inning for the Bulldogs and held the Red Foxes scoreless in the extra frame, hurling 1 1/3 innings for Samford. Lewis picked up the win for Samford to improve to 2-2 on the season. The Bulldogs' senior from Vacaville, Calif., kept Marist hitless and struck out one.

In game two, Western Michigan jumped out in front with a run in the bottom of the first inning, stringing together back-to-back doubles. Samford then scored two runs in the top of the fifth to take the lead, 2-1.

With two outs in the frame, freshman Jessica Owens laid down a bunt to get on base and freshman Rachael Reeves was hit by a pitch to put runners on first and second. Pearse then doubled off the centerfield wall to drive in both Owens and Reeves.

The Bulldogs added five runs in the top of the sixth inning.

Tracey Deaux drew a walk and Bethany Weisser followed with a double to put runners on second and third. Senior Caroline Powell then singled up the middle to plate Tracey Deaux.

Emily Deaux executed a squeeze bunt to bring pinch runner Kylie Harmon across the plate for an RBI. Owens, Reeves and Pearse then recorded consecutive RBIs to score three more Samford runs.

The Broncos plated a single run in the bottom of the seventh, but the Bulldogs held on to win the game, 7-2.

Lewis earned her third win of the season, improving to 3-2.

She threw 6 2/3 innings and allowed eight hits and two runs. Lewis walked two and struck out seven. Freshman Stephanie Royall recorded the final out for the Bulldogs, facing one batter to close the game.

The Bulldog bats recorded seven hits against Western Michigan with Owens and Pearse both going 2-for-4. Pearse and Weisser each had a double.

The Samford University softball team will resume play in the 2006 Stetson University Invitational Tournament on Saturday as the Bulldogs again square off against a pair of non-conference opponents at the Stetson Fastpitch Field in DeLand, Fla.

In its first game on Saturday, Samford is scheduled to play the hometown-favorite Stetson Hatters at 11 a.m. The Bulldogs will then face the UCF Golden Knights in the nightcap at 7:30 p.m.