Feb. 28, 2006

STARKVILLE, Miss. - The Samford University softball team will complete its current 12-game road trip on Wednesday as the Bulldogs square off against Mississippi State in a non-conference doubleheader beginning at 4 p.m., at the MSU Softball Field.

The teams were originally scheduled to play a home-and-home series this season, but the earlier game, which was to be held in Birmingham, Ala., on Feb. 22, was postponed due to inclement weather. With the postponement, the teams agreed to play a doubleheader in Starkville, Miss., on Wednesday.

Both games can be heard live on WVSU 91.1-FM or via the Internet at either www.samfordsports.com or www.al.com/WVSU.

Samford (5-10) heads into the doubleheader looking to build upon its decisive 6-0 shutout victory over Winthrop on Sunday in the final game of the 2006 Stetson University Invitational Tournament. The Bulldogs finished the three-day competition with a 3-2 record and outscored their opponents by a final margin of 16-10.

In the Bulldogs' most recent victory over Winthrop, junior Shelley Stanley went 3-for-4 in the contest and drove in a run. On the season, Samford's starting right fielder is leading the team in batting (.326), runs batted in (10), home runs (3) and doubles (3).

Freshman Stephanie Royall picked up the complete-game shutout victory against Winthrop and only allowed four hits.

A native of Mill Valley, Calif., Royall struck out seven and increased her team-leading total to 31. She improved to 2-3 on the season with the win.

Since earning a doubleheader split at Bulldog Field against Kennesaw State on Feb. 15, Samford has played 10-straight games away from home. During that stretch, the Bulldogs have compiled a 4-6 record.

Samford has already faced off against some of the top teams in the nation this season.

Earlier this year, the Bulldogs played against 15th-ranked Baylor, Florida State, Louisville, Houston and UCF. Samford is also scheduled meet seventh-ranked Alabama and 17th-ranked Auburn in non-conference play.

Mississippi State (13-0) has not allowed more than two runs in a game this season and possesses a miniscule 0.67 earned run average.

The MSU Bulldogs are batting .335 as a team this season and have six players hitting at least .300. In 13 games this year, Mississippi State has outscored its opponents, 71-9, and is averaging 8.2 hits per contest.

Mississippi State holds a 9-1 advantage in its all-time series against Samford. MSU won the first eight games of the rivalry, but since 2000, the teams have played to an even 1-1 record.

In the 2000 campaign, Samford picked up a 2-0 victory over Mississippi State, while the Bulldogs fell against MSU, 15-4, in 2003.

The Samford University softball team will continue to play against its tough non-conference schedule on Wednesday as the Bulldogs travel to Starkville, Miss., for a doubleheader matchup versus Mississippi State.

The first pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m., and both games can be heard live on WVSU 91.1-FM or via the Internet at either www.samfordsports.com or www.al.com/WVSU.

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