April 15, 2009
Game One Box Score
Game Two Box Score
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. ---- The Samford softball team split its midweek doubleheader with Memphis Wednesday night. The Bulldogs fell to the Tigers in the first game, 2-1, before winning the second game, 2-1.
After two scoreless innings on both sides, Samford (13-23) took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the third when Kristy Lawrence brought in Kylie Harmon on a single to right-center field. Memphis (20-22) answered back with two runs of its own in the top of the fourth when Lelani Bernardino doubled with the bases loaded to bring in Leandra Hines and Alyssa Palmieri.
Both pitchers then pitched four shutout innings as the Tigers walked away with the 2-1 win.
Amanda Barrs (2-12) started in the circle for the Bulldogs, giving up two unearned runs on six hits while walking three and striking out five. She was relieved in the bottom of the fourth by freshman Robyn Harmon who pitched three and one-third shutout innings, giving up two hits.
Vanessa Valle (7-8) pitched a complete seven-inning game for the Tigers, striking out five and giving up just one earned run on three hits.
Kylie Harmon led the Bulldogs, going 1-for-2 at the plate while Katie England and Lawrence went 1-for-3. Hines, Bernardino and Tori Gross all went 2-for-3 for the Tigers.
Samford jumped out to a 1-0 lead again in the second game, but this time it was in the first inning. With the bases loaded, Kimberly Bossom walked England to move the runners around and bring in Aaren Fisher.
Stephanie Royall (8-8) pitched three shutout innings before Memphis tied the game up in the fourth. With two on base, Maddie McKinley stepped up to bat and reached on a fielder's choice which brought in Gross for the tying run.
The Bulldogs moved back on top in the bottom of the fifth, however, when Robyn Harmon singled to second base with the bases loaded. Amy Gonzalez scored while the Bulldogs moved around the bases, but Memphis was able to get out of the inning after England popped up to second base.
Gonzalez and Robyn Harmon both went 1-for-2 while Stephanie Royall pitched her seventh complete game of the season. Royall struck out two while giving up only one earned run on four hits.
After Bossom walked three batters in the first inning, including walking the Bulldogs' first run in, she was relieved by Vanessa Walle who pitched four innings while striking out two batters and giving up just one run on three hits. Valle finished the game recording just one walk.
Samford will be back at home this weekend, April 17-18, when it plays host to Western Carolina to continue an eight-game homestand. The Bulldogs and Catamounts will meet in a doubleheader on Saturday beginning at 1 p.m. before closing out the series with a single game at 1 p.m. on Sunday.
