March 5, 2007

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Samford softball players Jenna Dempski, Stephanie Royall and Shelley Stanley were officially named to the All-Tournament Team of the 2007 Magic City Classic on Monday after leading the Bulldogs to a runner-up finish in the three-day competition.

In the four-team event held at UAB's George Ward Park Field No. 6, Samford (10-7) picked up a pair of victories against Birmingham-Southern and rallied for a 2-1 win against Ohio State. The Bulldogs concluded the tournament with a 3-2 record.

Samford finished the 2007 Magic City Classic with three players earning all-tournament honors.

Senior sluggers Shelley Stanley and Jenna Dempski were both recognized, and the Bulldogs' sophomore ace Stephanie Royall was one of only four pitchers honored.

Stanley and Dempski both powered two home runs each over the weekend, while Royall picked up all three of the Bulldogs' victories in the circle.

On Saturday, Samford overcame a four-run deficit against Birmingham-Southern to record a thrilling come-from-behind victory in the seventh inning. With two outs and the Bulldogs trailing 6-4, Dempski slammed a game-winning three-run homer deep over the left-field wall.

The home run was Dempski's first of two round-trippers during the Magic City Classic. Stanley also hit a pair of home runs over the weekend as she went 5-of-16 from the plate during the three-day competition.

Stanley powered home runs against both Ohio State and Birmingham-Southern and finished the tournament ranked among the top-five players in hits (5), home runs (2) and total bases (12).

Royall, Samford's 5-foot-10 native of Mill Valley, Calif., turned in a 3-1 record at the Magic City Classic and tallied a 1.36 earned run average. She also hurled three complete games and only allowed five earned runs.

The Samford University softball team will next be in action Wednesday as the Bulldogs square off against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at 4 p.m., in Starkville, Miss.

2007 Magic City Classic
All-Tournament Team

Player, Team
Lindsay Stanley, UAB (Most Valuable Player)
Jenna Dempski, Samford
Kayla Harris, UAB
Danielle Honore, Birmingham-Southern
Holly Krzan, UAB
Sam Marder, Ohio State
Jennifer Nelson, UAB
Kim Reeder, Ohio State
Stephanie Royall, Samford
Shelley Stanley, Samford
Melissa Taunton, Birmingham-Southern