March 30, 2006

Box Score

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The Samford University softball team extended its winning streak to three-consecutive games on Thursday as the Bulldogs used a pair of late-inning rallies to earn a doubleheader sweep over the Troy Trojans in a non-conference matchup, 2-1, 3-2 (8), held at Bulldog Field.

In each of Thursday's games, Samford (13-25) entered the bottom of the final inning trailing by a single run.

In the first matchup, Liz Pearse doubled off the wall in left-center field to even the score at 1-1 before Jenna Dempski dropped down the game-winning squeeze bunt to hand Samford the victory. Jeslyn Metcalf and Pearse led the Bulldogs offensively in game one as they each turned in 2-for-3 performances at the plate.

Samford's Susanna Meyer earned the victory and improved to 2-9 on the season. She struck out five Trojans and only allowed four hits.

The Bulldogs used another stellar pitching performance to knock off Troy (20-24) in the second game.

Freshman hurler Stephanie Royall picked up the victory as she pitched eight innings and only allowed one earned run. A native of Mill Valley, Calif, Royall struck out seven batters and improved to 8-7 on the season.

With Samford trailing the Trojans, 2-1, in the bottom of eighth inning, the Bulldogs had runners on second and third with one out when senior Erin Hall put down a perfectly-placed sacrifice bunt to the pitcher, scoring Meghan Wagner from third.

On the play, Troy's starting pitcher, Angela Lopez, overthrew the catcher allowing Samford's speedy Jessica Owens to score all the way from second base. Owens, the Bulldogs' freshman from Ft. Walton Beach, Fla., went 2-for-3 from the plate in game two and scored the game-winning run.

Junior Bethany Weisser singled in her only at-bat of the second game and finished 1-for-1.

The Samford University softball team will next be in action on Saturday at 1 p.m., as the Bulldogs resume Ohio Valley Conference play with a home doubleheader against the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles. The second game of the twin bill is scheduled to begin at 3 p.m., at Bulldog Field.

Game 1: Samford (12-25) def. Troy (20-23), 2-1

TROY 010 000 0 - 1 4 1
SAM 000 000 2 - 2 5 0

WP: Susanna Meyer (2-9)
LP: Laine Harcourt (10-12)

Game 2: Samford (13-25) def. Troy (20-24), 3-2 (8)

TROY 000 000 11 - 2 6 0
SAM 000 001 02 - 3 3 2

WP: Stephanie Royall (8-7)
LP: Angela Lopez (8-7)