Feb. 14, 2008

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The Samford University softball team will host its first tournament of the 2008 season this weekend as the Bulldogs welcome Louisville, North Florida and Troy to Bulldog Field for a 10-game, three-day competition.

Samford (3-2) will begin play in the four-team tournament Friday at 3:30 p.m., against the Louisville Cardinals. Immediately following the game, the Bulldogs are scheduled to host the Troy Trojans at 5:45 p.m., at Bulldog Field.

In the first game of the tournament Friday, Louisville (3-1) will face off against North Florida (2-3) at 11 a.m. Then, in the second matchup of the day, North Florida will remain on the field to take on Troy (2-3) at 1:15 p.m.

Samford heads into this weekend's tournament having won three of its previous four games. Last week, the Bulldogs completed the Alabama State Hornet Tournament with three-straight wins against Akron 4-2, Alabama State 5-3 and Belmont 5-2.

On Tuesday, Samford had its three-game winning streak snapped by Troy 4-3 on the road in Troy, Ala.

Louisville enters Friday's competition in a similar situation as Samford in that the Cardinals won their first three games of the season before losing their last contest. Louisville was victorious in its first three games of the season against Troy 5-0, Florida State 4-3 and Southern Miss 5-1, but was defeated most recently by Florida State 6-4.

North Florida heads into this weekend's tournament with a 2-3 record after opening its 2008 season last week in the FAU Kick-Off Classic.

In the three-day competition, North Florida picked up wins versus South Carolina 3-2 and UMass 3-2. The Osprey's three losses came against South Carolina 3-1, Florida Atlantic 7-0 and Maryland 7-0. In North Florida's 3-2 victory over South Carolina on Sunday, the Osprey's head coach Sonya Wilmoth picked up her 500th career victory.

Troy enters the 2008 Samford Bulldog Bash with a 2-3 record. On Tuesday, the Trojans held on for a 4-3 victory against Samford at home in Troy, Ala.

Prior to Tuesday's game, Troy's lone win of the season came against Florida State 3-1 on Saturday. The Trojans' three losses this year have been against Southern Miss 4-1, Louisville 5-0 and Southern Miss 9-4.

Following Samford's games against Louisville and Troy on Friday, the Bulldogs will continue play in the 2008 Samford Bulldog Bash on Saturday at 1:15 p.m., against North Florida. Bracket play will then follow for the four teams in the tournament.

2008 Samford Bulldog Bash

Game Schedule

Friday, Feb. 15
Louisville vs. North Florida, 11 a.m.
North Florida vs. Troy, 1:15 p.m.
Louisville vs. Samford, 3:30 p.m.
Troy vs. Samford, 5:45 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 16
Louisville vs. Troy, 11 a.m.
North Florida vs. Samford, 1:15 p.m.
#1 Seed vs. #4 Seed, 3:30 p.m.
#2 Seed vs. #3 Seed, 5:45 p.m.

Sunday, Feb. 17
Consolation Game, 11 a.m.
Championship Game, 1:15 p.m.

GameTracker - Samford vs. Louisville
GameTracker - Samford vs. Troy