April 11, 2009
Game One Box Score
Game Two Box Score
Game Three Box Score
GREENSBORO, N.C. ---- The Samford softball team took one of three games from UNC Greensboro this weekend, preventing the Spartans from sweeping the series by winning game two of the tripleheader on Saturday. UNCG made a comeback in the completion of game one to win, 6-3, before the Bulldogs earned the win in game two, 2-1. The Spartans took the rubber game, 8-4.
Game one picked up where it left off Friday when it was suspended because of inclement weather. The Bulldogs (12-22, 6-12 SoCon) had a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the third inning with UNCG batting. Samford held the Spartans (17-19, 6-6 SoCon) scoreless for the fourth inning but UNCG tied the game in the bottom of the fifth, tacking on two on a triple followed by a double to put the host team up, 3-2.
The Bulldogs tied the score at three all in the top of the sixth when Katie England scored ahead of the tag on Amy Gonzalez's fielder's choice. A three-run home run from UNCG junior Brittany Ausley in the bottom of the sixth inning gave the Spartans a 6-3 lead and UNCG would go on to win game one.
Kayla Burris started the game for the Bulldogs but Amanda Barrs (2-11) took the loss as she gave up four runs on six hits and allowed four walks in five innings in the circle. UNCG starter Hannah Angel (10-7) grabbed the win as she allowed three runs on three walks and eight hits.
England was 3-for-4 with an RBI and Kristy Lawrence was 2-for-3 to lead the Bulldogs in the game. UNCG's Lyndsay Mouse was 3-for-4 with an RBI and pair of doubles while Jordan Jewett was 2-for-3 with two RBI.
Samford jumped out to another 2-0 lead in the second game. Kylie Harmon led off with a single through the left side. UNCG secured two outs with a pair of fly outs to right field before Amanda Barrs brought Harmon in on a single up the middle.
The Bulldogs added another run in the top of the second after a very action-packed play. With runners on second and third, Harmon bunted and reached on a fielder's choice as Amanda Jordan was tagged out at the plate. UNCG catcher Whitney Sirois made a throw to second to try and end the inning, but obstruction was called on the second baseman Mouse, allowing Harmon to take second. Meanwhile, Whitney Terry scored from third, putting the Bulldogs up, 2-0.
The Spartans plated their only run of the game in the bottom of the third inning when Laura Olenderski scored on a Samford error.
Stephanie Royall (7-8) kept the Bulldogs in the lead as she allowed only one unearned run on four hits and a pair of walks in a complete seven-inning game. Cory Mattson (2-3) took the loss for the Spartans after giving up two runs on three walks and seven hits.
UNCG jumped out to a quick 3-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning of the final game of the day. The Spartans plated three runs on a two-run double followed by a single. They put five more on the board in the bottom of the fourth after a two-run single and a score on a Samford error gave the Spartans a 6-0 lead. With the bases loaded, Alex Emeterio was hit by a pitch to force in Jewett, and Sirois followed with a sacrifice fly to right to score Mouse.
The Spartans were staring straight at a shutout and potential mercy-rule win before Samford broke it up with a run by Barrs on a wild pitch after UNCG's starter Amber Harrell loaded the bases with three walks and fielder's choice.
In the sixth inning, the Bulldogs scored three more runs on a three-run homer by Barrs to bring Samford within four. However, the Spartans got their three outs and won game three by an 8-4 margin.
Kylie Harmon was 2-for-3 while Gonzalez was 2-for-4. Barrs was credited with the Bulldogs' three RBI and two runs while Harmon and Rachael Reeves scored a run each. Jewett and Sirois led the Spartans going 2-for-3 and 2-for-4, respectively.
Harrell (5-9) grabbed the win for UNCG surrendering four runs on six hits and eight walks. Royall started the game and took the loss for the Bulldogs but was relieved after giving up seven runs on five hits. Freshman Robyn Harmon saw her first action in the pitcher's circle when she came on in relief. She pitched two and two thirds inning, giving up just one run on two hits and three walks.
The Bulldogs return home next weekend for an eight-game homestand to close out the conference season at home. Samford will host non-conference foe Memphis for a midweek matchup on Wednesday, April 15, before meeting Western Carolina in a weekend conference series. The Bulldogs will then close out league play April 25-26 with a series against Elon before heading back out on the road to take on Mercer in their final series of the season.
