April 3, 2009

Box Score

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Samford senior pitcher Michael Jarry pitched 7.1 innings, giving up four runs on seven hits to lead the Bulldog baseball team to a 6-4 win over Davidson in the first game of a three-game Southern Conference series Friday night at Joe Lee Griffin Field.

Due to the threat of inclement weather on Sunday, the teams will wrap up the series with a doubleheader Saturday afternoon.

"This was a well-played game and a well-pitched game," Samford head coach Casey Dunn said. "Both teams played well. Tomorrow will be a big day, where we will have an opportunity to win a series. It was big getting this first win today, though."

Samford (11-17, 7-6 SoCon) was led at the plate by Mason Meredeth, going 3-for-4 with two RBI. Stephen Ballard, Michael Johnson and Brad Moss had two hits apiece for the Bulldogs.

Jarry struck out six batters, while walking just two in earning the win and improving his season record to 3-3. Kyle Nichols pitched the final 1.2 innings, allowing just one base runner to earn his fifth save of the season.

For Davidson (10-13, 5-5 SoCon), Pat Brady was 2-for-4 with a home run and an RBI. Zach Kayne also homered for the Wildcats in a 1-for-3 performance. Thomas Middour pitched 3.1 innings, giving up six runs on nine hits to take the loss and fall to 2-2 on the season.

Davidson jumped on top first with two runs in the top of the second inning. The first run of the game came on a solo home run by Brady to lead off the inning. Chase FitzPatrick then tripled down the right-field line. FitzPatrick then scored when Drew Gadaire grounded out to shortstop for a 2-0 Davidson lead.

Samford took the lead for good with four runs in the bottom of the second inning. Matthew Bennett led the inning off with a single and moved to second on a ground out. Bennett then scored when Johnson doubled to center field to make the score 2-1.

Moss then singled to left field to drive in Johnson to tie the score. After Wayne Miller walked and Ballard was hit by a pitch to load the bases, Meredeth singled to drive in Miller and Moss for a 4-2 Samford lead.

In the top of the third inning, Davidson's Kayne hit a solo home run to right field to cut the Samford lead to 4-3. Samford answered with a run in the bottom of the third to make the score 5-3. Trey Hayes, who reached on an infield single to lead off the inning, scored on a Davidson error to give Samford a two-run lead.

Davidson plated another run in the top of the fourth inning to pull to within one run at 5-4. FitzPatrick walked and then scored on a double by Gadaire for Davidson's fourth run of the game.

Samford came back with a run in the bottom of the fourth inning. Ballard doubled to center field to begin the inning. With one out, David Schulze singled to center field to drive in Ballard and give Samford a 6-4 lead.

Both teams remained scoreless for the remainder of the game to make the final score 6-4.

Saturday's doubleheader is scheduled for a 1 p.m. start from Joe Lee Griffin Field. Both games can be heard locally on WVSU-FM 91.1, or worldwide on the internet at www.samford.edu/wvsu. Both games can also be watched on the internet via SoCon TV at www.soconsports.com.

Fans can follow both games live on the internet via GameTracker at the links below.

GameTracker For Saturday's First Game

GameTracker For Saturday's Second Game