April 19, 2009

Box Score

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. ---- The Samford softball team won its second conference series of the year Sunday as it outlasted Western Carolina in the third game of the series, 6-5. The Bulldogs' seventh-inning run lifted Samford over the Catamounts and handed the Bulldogs' their eight conference win of the season.

After the score had been tied at three for five innings, Samford (15-24, 8-13 SoCon) finally broke away with two runs in the bottom of the sixth inning. However, Western Carolina tied the score again in the top of the seventh before the Bulldogs struck the final blow. Amanda Barrs singled up the middle for her only hit of the day to bring Kristy Lawrence in to score the winning run.

Katie England was 2-for-2 to lead the Bulldogs Sunday, scoring one run and batting in one run as well. Robyn Harmon went 2-for-3 with two runs while Kylie Harmon, Aaren Fisher, Amy Gonzalez and Lawrence all had one hit each. Kylie Harmon, Fisher and Lawrence each had a run on the day while Fisher had an RBI and Barrs and Gonzalez had two.

Kayla Burris (3-3) earned the win for the Bulldogs as she relieved Stephanie Royall in the top of the seventh inning. Royall pitched one and one-third innings in relief of Barrs, walking two batters and giving up two earned runs on two hits. Barrs pitched five full innings before being taken out, striking out two batters, walking three and giving up three earned runs on five hits.

Katie King (5-13) took the loss for the Catamounts after pitching a complete game. The freshman pitcher had three strikeouts on the day while giving up six runs, three earned, on nine hits.

Western Carolina (11-27, 7-11 SoCon) took an early 3-0 lead in the top of the first inning. The Catamounts plated their first run when Mollie Fowler reached on a fielder's choice bunt and Chelsea Schaffer scored ahead of the tag at home plate. With runners on first and third, Stephanie Beatty reached on a fielder's choice that got Fowler out, but advanced to second on an error by Samford shortstop Kylie Harmon while Kristen Gay scored. Beth Hauser then singled to center field and advanced on the throw while Beatty came home. The Bulldogs cleared the bases, though, when Hauser got caught stealing at second base for the third out.

Samford answered back in the bottom of the inning and tied the score. Kylie Harmon led off with a walk before stealing second on Aaren Fisher's first pitch and then advancing to third on a wild pitch. Fisher then reached base on an error by Western Carolina shortstop Schaffer and advanced to second on the throw while Harmon scored to make it a 3-1 ballgame.

Lawrence struck out then Barrs hit a sacrifice fly to bring home Fisher. The Bulldogs were closing the gap. Robyn Harmon then singled and advanced to second on another error by Schaffer before England stepped up and singled to left center to bring in the tying run.

After four scoreless innings on both sides, Samford held the Catamounts in the top of the sixth inning. The Bulldogs then took a 5-3 lead in the bottom of the sixth. Robyn Harmon led off with a single before England earned her base after getting hit by a pitch. Jordan then laid down a sacrifice bunt to move the runners over before Gonzalez doubled to right field to bring Harmon and England home.

Western Carolina answered back and tied the score again in the top of the seventh after Royall loaded the bases and Fowler singled to bring home Schaffer to get within one. After a Samford pitching change, Beatty flied out with one out to bring in Gay before Hauser popped up to Kylie Harmon to end the inning. Kylie Harmon led off the bottom of the inning with a single to center field before being thrown out on Fisher's fielder's choice. Fisher was then out on Lawrence's fielder's choice but Lawrence was able to advance to second base on an error by Schaffer. Barrs then stepped up to the plate and singled up the middle to bring in Lawrence to score the winning run.

Samford will be back in action at home next weekend, April 25-26, as the Bulldogs host Elon in their final home series of the season. The series closes out an eight-game homestand and Samford will honor its seniors - Kylie Harmon, Kristy Lawrence and Jessica Owens - before Sunday's game. The series will feature a doubleheader on Saturday and a single game on Sunday. First pitch on both days is slated for 1 p.m.