April 12, 2007

Game 1 - Box Score
Game 2 - Box Score

JACKSONVILLE, Ala. - Following an hour-long rain delay Wednesday, the Samford University softball team racked up 16 runs en route to a doubleheader split on the road against Ohio Valley Conference-foe Jacksonville State at University Field. Samford lost the first game 9-8, but rallied for an 8-6 win in the nightcap.

Samford (22-16, 8-7 OVC) pounded out 14 hits against Jacksonville State (23-16, 9-6 OVC) and took advantage of nine Gamecock errors.

The Bulldogs used seven Jacksonville State miscues in game one to build an early 8-3 advantage in the sixth inning. In the bottom of the sixth frame, the Gamecocks' bats came alive and Jacksonville State rallied for six runs in the final two innings.

With its six late runs scored, Jacksonville State earned a slim 9-8 lead heading into the top of the seventh inning. The Gamecocks finished the game with 13 hits and were led offensively by catcher Allie Barker who was 3-for-4 with two RBIs and a run scored.

Despite Jacksonville State's late comeback, the Bulldogs came just inches away from scoring a pair of runs in the seventh inning and regaining the lead.

With runners on second and third and two outs, Samford's Jeslyn Metcalf rifled a line drive that appeared to be heading deep into the left center field gap. The apparent double would have scored both runs and given the Bulldogs a 10-9 lead, except that shortstop Mary Beth Ledbetter skied into the air to snag the ball and end the rally.

Ledbetter's game-saving play helped make up for the two errors that she committed earlier in the contest.

Jacksonville State's come-from-behind victory in the first game marked the first time this season that the Bulldogs were defeated when leading after the fifth inning. Prior to Wednesday's doubleheader, Samford owned an unblemished 15-0 record when leading after five frames this season.

Samford's Shelley Stanley was 1-for-3 and drove in three runs on a bases-loaded triple the top of the fourth inning. The hit was the highlight of the Bulldogs' five-run inning and was the third triple of her four-year career.

Sophomore Rachael Reeves and freshman Brittany Simao were both 1-for-3 at the plate in game one.

The Bulldogs earned an 8-6 victory in the nightcap due to some clutch hitting from junior Emily Deaux and freshman Amanda Barrs. Both players turned in 3-for-4 offensive outings and drove in three runs while crossing the plate once.

Barrs blasted a key three-run homer to left field in the top of the fifth inning to give Samford a 6-4 advantage, while Emily Deaux drove in what turned out to be the game-winning runs in the top of the seventh inning with a double off the wall in center field.

Senior pitcher Susanna Meyer (7-5) turned in a solid performance in the circle and finished the game with four strikeouts. She earned her seventh complete-game victory of the season and outplayed Jacksonville State's Melissa Dowling (7-6), who was saddled with the loss.

In game two, Stanley scored three runs after reaching base on a pair of walks and a single. The Bulldogs' senior native of Decatur is Samford's all-time leader in bases on balls with 80.

Metcalf was 1-for-3 in game two, while senior Liz Pearse turned in a 1-for-4 performance at the plate.

The Samford University softball team will next be in action Thursday as the Bulldogs host the Nicholls State Colonels in a non-conference doubleheader beginning at 4 p.m. The first 100 fans to Bulldog Field will receive free pizza courtesy of Dominos Pizza.