March 22, 2009
Box Score
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. ---- The Samford softball team took the final game Sunday in its weekend series with Chattanooga as it shutout the Lady Mocs, 6-0. The Bulldogs move to 9-15 overall and 3-6 in league play while Chattanooga falls to 14-12, 5-1 in the Southern Conference.
The Bulldogs combined for five RBI on six hits, led by Aaren Fisher who hit a two-run homer in the third inning and Kylie Harmon who was two-of-four at the plate. Stephanie Royall (4-6) earned the win for Samford, pitching seven full innings and striking out seven batters. She walked only one and gave up seven hits.
"We had a great approach to the game today," Samford head coach Beanie Ketcham said. "We got timely hitting, great pitching and clutch defense. I'm proud of how this team played today. Kylie Harmon had a great weekend for us and I'm proud of the way she has played for us the last two weekends. We are getting solid pitching and our defense is starting to gel."
Samford put three runs on the board straight out of the gate in the first inning. After Amy Gonzalez walked and stole second, Harmon singled to right field to advance Gonzalez to third. In the same play, Harmon stole second and advanced to third on an error by the Chattanooga shortstop which brought Gonzalez home to get Samford on the board.
Katie England then reached base on a fielder's choice while Harmon scored. England stole second while Amanda Barrs was at the plate, then Barrs singled and advanced on the throw while England came in for the third run.
In the second inning, Whitney Terry led off and reached base after being hit by a pitch. With two outs, Terry stole second and Harmon singled up the middle to bring Terry home. The Bulldogs took a 4-0 lead. With Kristy Lawrence on first base in the third inning, Fisher came to the plate and knocked out her fourth home run of the year to give Samford a 6-0 lead. Fisher now ranks seventh all-time with 11 career home runs.
Both teams would keep the other scoreless for the duration of the game and Samford would go on to win, 6-0.
Kandice Irwin (5-7) took the loss for the Lady Mocs after giving up three runs on two hits in the first inning. Brooke Loudermilk came in and pitched the rest of the game, striking out three batters, walking one and giving up three runs on four hits.
Samford will be back in action this Wednesday as the Bulldogs travel to Tuscaloosa, Ala., to take on No. 2-ranked Alabama in a midweek meeting at 6:30 p.m. The Bulldogs will then be back home for a weekend series with Furman.
