April 9, 2006

Box Score

CHARLESTON, Ill. - The Samford University softball team suffered a heartbreaking 1-0 loss on the road against the Eastern Illinois Panthers on Sunday as the Bulldogs allowed a single run in the bottom of the eighth inning to lose an extra-inning pitching duel at Williams Field.

Samford (13-32, 3-10 Ohio Valley Conference) received a stellar pitching performance from freshman Stephanie Royall in the finale of the three-game series as she only allowed three hits in 7 1/3 innings of action against the Panthers. The Bulldogs' native of Mill Valley Calif., struck out four batters in the game.

With the victory, Eastern Illinois (24-15-1, 7-5 OVC) earned a three-game sweep of the series and extended its home winning streak to five-straight games.

The Panthers' Chelsea Adams registered the game-winning hit in the bottom of the eighth inning as she ripped a double to the left field wall. Cassandra North ignited the rally as the earned a one-out walk and then advanced to third on a throwing error by third baseman Katie England.

After Samford's error, Eastern Illinois' Adams came to the plate and turned in her game-winning double. She went 1-for-3 on Sunday.

The Bulldogs registered three hits in the game and were led offensively by freshman Jessica Owens. Owens went 2-for-4 and reached on a pair of infield singles. Sophomore Tracey Deaux earned Samford's third hit and finished with a 1-for-3 performance on Sunday.

In the top of the fifth inning, Samford put together the first scoring threat of the game. With one out in the frame, Jenna Dempski drew a base on balls and then advanced to second as Deaux reached on an infield to the shortstop.

Rachael Reeves, the Bulldogs' next batter then moved Dempski to third as she reached on a fielder's choice to second base. With two outs in the inning, Reeves stole second base to put runners on second and third, but then Eastern Illinois was able to get out of the jam as Owens struck out swinging.

Reeves' stolen base in the fifth inning was her 13th of the season. She is currently tied for Samford's lead along with Owens.

The Panthers nearly scored the first run of the game in the bottom of the sixth inning as Rachel Karos reached on a two-out error to third base. On the play, Adams came around from second base attempting to score on the miscue, but Samford's Dempski threw out the runner at the plate to end the inning.

The Samford University softball team will next be in action on Friday as the Bulldogs begin a three-game OVC series at home against the Austin Peay Lady Govs. The teams will play a doubleheader on Friday beginning at 4 p.m., followed by the series finale at 1 p.m., on Saturday.