March 8, 2009
Final Stats
BOONE, N.C. ---- The Samford softball team (5-11, 0-3 SoCon) fell in its final game at Appalachian State (7-8, 3-0 SoCon) on Sunday, 4-2. The game, which went to nine innings, completed a sweep for Appalachian State in the first Southern Conference series.
With the score tied at two runs a piece and two outs in the bottom of the ninth, Appalachian State catcher Michelle Lighton blasted a two-run walk-off homerun to lift the Mountaineers over the Bulldogs.
Stephanie Royall threw eight and two-thirds innings facing 40 batters. She gave up four earned runs on seven hits, striking out two and walking four. She moves to 3-4 on the season.
Samford was the first to get on the board at the top of the first innings. First baseman Kristy Lawrence was third up to bat with two outs and she singled to right field. While designated player Amanda Barrs was at the plate, Lawrence stole second before Barrs single up the middle to drive in Lawrence. However, Appalachian State answered back in the bottom of the inning with a solo homer by third baseman Katie Boyd.
The Mountaineers scored once more in the bottom of the third inning, but Samford tied the score at two in the top of the fourth on an error by the Appalachian State second baseman. Barrs started off the inning with a single to left field and advanced to second when Katie England grounded out. Amanda Jordan then singled and Whitney Terry reached base on an error by the third baseman. That put runners in scoring position and loaded the bases - Barrs was on third, Jordan on second, Terry on first. Rachael Reeves came to bat and reached base on an error by the second baseman which brought Barrs home and tied the score.
Each team kept the other scoreless for the next four innings until Lighton's homerun in the bottom of the ninth.
Barrs and Amy Gonzalez were both two of four on the day while Aaren Fisher, Lawrence and Jordan added the other three hits for Samford. Gonzalez and Lawrence also combined for Samford's two stolen bases against the Mountaineers, and Lawrence had half of the Bulldogs' 26 putouts.
The Bulldogs are back at home this week as they kick off a five-game homestand on Tuesday, March 10, with a doubleheader against St. Louis. The first game will start at 4 p.m. Samford will then have its first home conference weekend when it will host College of Charleston, March 13-14. The Bulldogs will host a doubleheader on Saturday and a single game on Sunday.
Saturday will also be Strike Out Cancer Day. All proceeds from ticket sales and half from concession sales will benefit the UAB Division of Hematology and Oncology at Children's Hospital.
