Feb. 9, 2008

Samford-Akron Box Score
Samford-Alabama State Box Score

MONTGOMERY, Ala. - The Samford University softball team picked up a pair of wins in the Alabama State Hornet Tournament on Saturday as the Bulldogs defeated the Akron Zips 4-2 and then knocked off the hometown-favorite Alabama State Hornets 5-3 at Lagoon Park.

With the victories, Samford (2-1) strung together its first winning streak of the young 2008 season and bounced back nicely from Friday's hard-fought to Southeastern Louisiana.

In Samford's 4-2 win against Akron (1-3), sophomore Amanda Barrs slammed a two-run homer in the first inning to propel the Bulldogs to victory. Samford scored three runs in the opening frame and was jumpstarted by Jeslyn Metcalf's bunt single.

Metcalf then stole second base and scored as Barrs lifted a deep shot over the center field fence. The Bulldogs later tallied their third run of the inning when Katie England drove in Emily Deaux from second base on a single to center field. England went 2-for-2 in the game and tallied an RBI.

Samford extended its lead to 4-0 in the top of the third inning when Jessica Owens singled to first base and then promptly stole second. She later scored from third base when Aaren Fisher sent a deep sacrifice fly to center field.

Owens turned in a 1-for-4 performance from the plate, while Metcalf was 2-for-4. Both players scored a run and tallied a stolen base.

Kayla Burris (2-1) picked up the complete-game victory in the circle. The Bulldogs' true freshman hurler struck out six and only allowed two earned runs. Both of Akron's runs were scored in the bottom of the seventh inning.

In Samford's nightcap victory against Alabama State (0-2), Emily Deaux played the role of heroine as she blasted a two-run homer in the top of the fourth inning. The homer capped off a four-run frame for the Bulldogs and proved to be the deciding runs of the game.

Burris picked up another victory in the circle and improved to 2-1 this season. She tallied seven strikeouts in the game and only allowed one earned run.

Offensively, Deaux led the way with her 2-for-4 performance, while Julie Handley, Owens, Kristy Lawrence and Amanda Jordan each added a hit for the Bulldogs.

The Samford University softball team will conclude play in the 2008 Alabama State Hornet Tournament on Sunday at 12:30 p.m., as the Bulldogs square off against the Belmont Bruins at Lagoon Park in Montgomery, Ala.