March 30, 2008

Box Score

RICHMOND, Ky. - After its heart-wrenching, late-inning loss Saturday, the Samford University softball team suffered another tough setback Sunday as the Bulldogs left eight runners on base in a 2-1 defeat against the Eastern Kentucky Colonels in the rubber game of the series held at Gertrude Hood Field.

In Sunday's loss, Samford (12-19, 4-7 Ohio Valley Conference) missed out on key scoring opportunities in both the fifth and sixth innings. The Bulldogs left the bases loaded in the top of the fifth frame and later failed to capitalize with a runner on second and one out in the top of the sixth.

With the victory, Eastern Kentucky (18-10, 8-3 OVC) earned its third series win in conference play this season. The Colonels swept three straight games from Southeast Missouri, took two out of three from both Tennessee State and Samford, and split a midweek doubleheader against Morehead State.

Eastern Kentucky was led offensively by senior All-OVC performer Adriel Foxley. The Colonels' first baseman turned in a 2-for-3 outing at the plate and drove in the game-winning run in the bottom of the third inning.

In the circle, Eastern Kentucky's Jenn Bledsoe (4-3) picked up the win. She allowed one run on four hits and finished with four strikeouts. Samford's Amanda Barrs (2-4) was saddled with the tough-luck loss despite only allowing two runs on six hits.

Samford's offensive attack was buoyed by junior leadoff hitter Jessica Owens. The Bulldogs' speedy leftfielder finished with a 3-for-4 performance at the plate and increased her team-high batting average to .363.

Owens tallied three of Samford's five hits Sunday and scored the team's lone run of the game. Senior Jeslyn Metcalf and sophomore Katie England also added base hits for the Bulldogs.

Eastern Kentucky jumped out to a quick 1-0 lead by scoring a run in the bottom of the first inning.

Samford then bounced back with a run of its own in the top of the third frame. With Owens on third and one out, freshman Aaren Fisher powered a deep fly ball to left center field that allowed Owens to even the score at 1-1. Owens and Metcalf both singled in the inning to ignite the rally.

In the bottom half of the third inning, Eastern Kentucky's Chanze Patterson led off the inning with an infield single and later scored on Foxley's line drive double to left center field. The run gave the Colonels their decisive 2-1 lead.

Samford mounted a late rally in the top of the fifth inning when Owens doubled down the left field line and Metcalf reached first base on a throwing error by Eastern Kentucky's Erin Luther. Then, with one out and runners on the corners, Metcalf was thrown out at second base on an attempted steal.

With Owens at third base, Samford's Amanda Jordan and Amanda Barrs both drew back-to-back walks to load the bases.

The Bulldogs had two outs in the inning when senior Emily Deaux came up to bat and sent a deep line drive to left field. On the apparent run-scoring play, Eastern Kentucky's Cassi Gibson made a sprinting catch to her left to end the inning.

In the top of the sixth inning, Samford's England led off the frame with a line drive to right field. Whitney Terry dropped down a sacrifice bunt and allowed England to reach second base with only one out in the innings.

The Bulldogs' Julie Handley then came on to pinch run at second base, but was stranded there to end the inning as Jordan struck out and Kylie Harmon grounded out.

The Samford University softball team will next be in action Wednesday at 6:30 p.m., as the Bulldogs welcome the second-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide to Bulldog Field for a midweek non-conference clash.