Feb. 25, 2009
Final Stats
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. ---- The Samford softball team fell to Troy Wednesday after leading for five innings. The Trojans sparked a six-run rally in the top of the sixth inning that gave them the advantage and the Bulldogs were defeated, 8-5.
Samford (5-6) posted five runs in the first inning and kept Troy (10-5) scoreless until the top of the fourth inning. Lead-off batter Amy Gonzalez was walked right out of the gate and Jessica Owens followed that up with a base hit. Kristy Lawrence laid down a sacrifice bunt to advance the runners to second and third before Amanda Barrs was walked.
With the bases loaded, Katie England singled to right center field to bring in Gonzalez. Aaren Fisher then came to the plate, rattled off a triple and drove three runs home. Whitney Terry then stepped up and brought Fisher home and the Bulldogs were ahead 5-0.
Bulldog pitcher Amanda Barrs and the Samford defense kept Troy scoreless for the first three innings before the Trojans finally got on the board at the top of the fourth inning, 5-1.
Things took a turn in the top of the sixth when Troy's second baseman Sarah Shields sparked a six-run rally to bring the Trojans into the lead. Shields singled to center field, bringing two runs home. After Samford switched pitcher three times, Troy added four more runs, two were walked in and two were batted in. The Trojans led, 7-5.
In the top of the seventh inning, Troy's first baseman Hayden Gann homered to make the score 8-5.
For Troy, Ashlyn Williams pitched seven complete innings and earned the win for the Trojans.
Barrs pitched five and two-thirds innings, striking out three batters and giving up three runs on six hits. She walked four. Kayla Burris came in briefly in the sixth inning, giving up four runs, walking one batter and hitting two. Stephanie Royall finished out the game for the Bulldogs, facing six batters, striking out two and giving up one run on two hits.
Fisher led the Bulldogs in hitting against Troy with two hits in three appearances at the plate and posting three RBI. First baseman Kristy Lawrence led the defense with seven putouts followed by catcher Whitney Terry with five.
Samford is back in action this weekend as they play in and co-host the Magic City Classic with UAB. The three-day event will be hosted at Spain Park High School in Hoover, Ala., and Samford begins play in the tournament in the first game on Friday. The Bulldogs will play Northern Illinois at 3:30 p.m., at field one on the Spain Park campus. For more information, go to www.samfordsports.com or www.uabsports.com.
