March 30, 2007

Box Score

CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. - Following two hours and 45 minutes of rain delays, the Samford University softball team dropped a heartbreaking 1-0 loss on the road to the Austin Peay Lady Governors on Friday.

Due to the rain, the teams will now play a doubleheader Saturday beginning at 11 a.m., at Lady Govs Field.

Trailing 1-0 in the top of the seventh inning, Samford (16-14, 3-5 Ohio Valley Conference) mounted a late rally as senior Shelley Stanley led off the frame with a line drive single up the middle. The Bulldogs' native of Decatur, Ala., led the Bulldogs with a 2-for-3 offensive outing.

Stanley then advanced to third as freshman Amanda Barrs reached on a throwing error by third baseman Ashley Taylor and moved to second on the miscue.

With one out in the inning and sophomore Rachael Reeves at the plate, the Lady Govs' Natasha Anderson (11-5) threw a wild pitch that bounced to the backstop 20 feet behind the plate. Stanley broke towards the plate on the errant throw and was called out at home on the play.

Then, with two outs in the frame Reeves struck out swinging to end the game.

With the win, Austin Peay (16-11, 5-2 OVC) earned its third-straight victory and improved to 10-22 against the Bulldogs. The Lady Govs also snapped a three-game home losing streak against Samford.

Stephanie Royall (9-9) pitched well for the Bulldogs on Friday and only allowed one run on four hits. A native of Mill Valley, Calif., the sophomore registered four strikeouts and walked one batter.

Samford finished with four hits in the game and two of the base-knocks jumped off the bat of Stanley. Junior Tracey Deaux tallied a single in the third inning, while Jenna Dempski reached base safely in the fifth frame.

Austin Peay was led offensively by Sarah Longmire who went 1-for-2 and drove in the game-winning run in the bottom of the fifth inning.

The Lady Govs' game-winning hit occurred with one out and Ami Bush on third base.

The Samford University softball team will conclude its three-game OVC series against the Austin Peay Lady Govs on Saturday as the teams will now play a doubleheader at 11 a.m., in Clarksville, Tenn.