March 18, 2007

Box Score

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. - The Samford University softball team suffered a 9-1 defeat against the Southeast Missouri Redhawks on Sunday as the Bulldogs fell short in the rubber game of their first Ohio Valley Conference series of the season.

Samford (14-11, 1-2 OVC) scored first in the contest to take an early 1-0 lead, but allowed nine unanswered runs in the defeat. Sophomore Stephanie Royall (8-6) finished with the loss in the circle for the Bulldogs.

Southeast Missouri (6-8, 2-1 OVC) rallied for 10 hits and scored all nine of its runs in the final four innings of play. The Redhawks' Elaine Fisher (4-7) picked up the win, while shortstop Megan McDonald went 3-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored.

The Bulldogs' Jessica Owens registered the first hit of the game in the top of the first inning as she reached in an infield bunt single. Samford's speedy centerfielder later scored on Jenna Dempski's line drive up the middle to give the Bulldogs a quick 1-0 advantage.

Owens and Dempski both turned in 1-for-2 performances at the plate Sunday, while freshman Brittany Simao was 1-for-1 and sophomore Kylie Harmon was 1-for-2.

Southeast Missouri grabbed the lead in the bottom of the second inning as true freshman Elise Sperakos connected on a two-run homer to left field. The home run was the first of her collegiate career.

In the bottom of the third inning, the Redhawks extended their lead to 6-1 as they took advantage of a pair of Samford errors and scored four runs on three hits. Southeast Missouri sent eight batters to the plate and the big blow occurred on McDonald's RBI double to right-center field.

After the Redhawks tacked on a run in the bottom of the fourth inning, they entered the fifth frame with a 7-1 advantage.

With runners on second and third and two outs, junior Michelle Summers sent a high pop-up to deep left field. The ball, which was hit directly into the sun, could not be picked up by leftfielder Emily Deaux and dropped innocently to the turf. The sun-aided double scored the game-winning runs.

The Samford University softball team will next be in action Saturday as the Bulldogs begin a three-game home series against the Eastern Illinois Panthers. The teams are scheduled to play a doubleheader Saturday beginning at 1 p.m., and a single game Sunday at 1 p.m.