May 7, 2006

Box Score

MARTIN, Tenn. - The Samford University softball team ended its 2006 season on a high note on Sunday as the Bulldogs picked up a 3-1 Ohio Valley Conference win over the Tennessee-Martin Skyhawks at Bettye Giles Field.

With the victory, Samford concluded its 2006 campaign with a 20-38 overall record and a 10-16 mark in conference play. The Bulldogs ended the year tied for seventh place in the OVC, one position shy of qualifying for next week's six-team OVC Tournament.

Samford's Shelley Stanley, the school's all-time home run leader, turned in a 3-for-3 performance at the plate on Sunday and blasted her 10th homer of the season.

With the score knotted at 1-1 in the top of the sixth inning, Stanley powered a deep home run to right field to give the Bulldogs a 2-1 advantage.

Stanley's home run proved to be the game-winner and set a Samford single-season record with 10. The Bulldogs' junior from Decatur, Ala., hit two homers in the three-game series and extended her school-record career total to 25.

Immediately following Stanley's deep fly, junior Jenna Dempski came up and slammed her first home run of the season to left field. The Bulldogs' back-to-back homers gave Samford its decisive 3-1 victory.

Freshman Stephanie Royall earned the complete-game victory and improved to 13-13 on the season. She only allowed five hits and one earned run in seven innings, while registering six strikeouts.

Tennessee-Martin (34-24-1, 15-12 OVC) jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the game as shortstop Greer Long powered a home run to left field in the bottom of the first inning. Long went 1-for-3 at the plate and was one of five Skyhawks to tally a hit.

Samford came right back and tied the game at 1-1 in the top of the second inning.

Freshman Katie England scored the game-tying run as Tracey Deaux lined a double to center field. England turned in a 2-for-3 performance at the plate, while Deaux was 1-for-2. Freshman Jessica Owens also registered a hit on Sunday as she singled to lead off the game.