March 1, 2008

Box Score - Samford vs. Grambling State
Box Score - Samford vs. UAB

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - For the second straight day, the Samford University softball team finished with a two-game split at the 2008 Magic City Classic. The Bulldogs defeated the Grambling State Tigers 6-0 in their early game, but then fell prey to a late rally in a hard-fought 4-3 loss to the UAB Blazers at Spain Park High School.

With the split, Samford (8-10) moved to a 2-2 record in this weekend's seven-team tournament. The Bulldogs will close out the three-day competition Sunday at 11 a.m., with a game against Georgia Southern.

In Samford's 6-0 shutout victory against Grambling State (5-12) on Saturday, the Bulldogs exploded for five runs in the bottom of the sixth frame to take their decisive lead.

Samford's sixth-inning rally was highlighted by sophomore Katie England's three-run pinch-hit home run, her second of the season. Senior Emily Deaux and junior Kristy Lawrence both singled to open the inning and later scored on England's deep homer.

The Bulldogs compiled five runs on five hits in the frame and took advantage of a critical Tiger error.

Following England's three-run homer, Samford added two more scores in the inning as Jeslyn Metcalf singled and Jessica Owens doubled before they both crossed the plate on Grambling State's miscue.

Samford's Kayla Burris (5-4) earned the shutout victory in the circle and only allowed seven hits. She also tallied four strikeouts in six innings.

Offensively, the Bulldogs were led by Deaux, Metcalf and Owens, who all finished with two-hit performances at the plate. England was 1-for-1 with three RBIs and a run scored, while Amanda Barrs, Kylie Harmon and Lawrence added base hits for Samford.

In Samford's final game Saturday, UAB (12-8) rallied for a pair of runs in the top of the seventh inning to upend the Bulldogs 4-3. The Blazers trailed 3-2 heading into the final inning before Kayla Harris tallied a leadoff single in the frame and later scored the game-tying run on a Samford error.

With two outs and the game knotted at 3-3, UAB's Jennifer Nelson then singled down the left field line and Laura Callaway scored from third to give the Blazers their decisive 4-3 lead.

Samford fell behind early in the game 2-0, but used a three-run homer from freshman Aaren Fisher in the bottom of the third inning to take a key 3-2 advantage.

The Bulldogs' Metcalf led off the frame with a single to left field and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt from Owens. Next up, Harmon reached on an infield single and Metcalf moved over to third base. With one out and runners on first and third, Fisher then skied a deep home run to left field to give Samford the lead 3-2.

Fisher's home run was her team-leading third of the season and she finished 1-for-2 with three RBIs and a run scored against UAB.

Samford's Owens turned in a 2-for-3 outing at the plate, while Harmon, Barrs, Lawrence, England and Metcalf and finished with base hits.

The Samford University softball team will conclude play in the 2008 Magic City Classic on Sunday at 11 a.m., as the Bulldogs square off against the Georgia Southern Eagles at Spain Park High School. Next season, Samford and Georgia Southern will both be rivals in the esteemed Southern Conference.