May 2, 2009
Box Score
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. ---- The Samford softball team fell in its final regular-season contest Saturday to cross-town rival UAB. The Blazers' seventh inning three-run rally up-ended the Bulldogs, and UAB walked away with a 4-3 victory and its 20th win of the season. Both teams went into the game searching for their 20th win.
UAB (20-33) took an early 1-0 lead in the second inning before Samford scored a run in both the fifth and sixth innings to jump ahead 2-1. Despite the Bulldogs' strong pitching effort, UAB's bats got hot when it counted as the Blazer's scored three runs in the seventh inning to take a 4-2 lead. Samford added one more run in the bottom of the seventh but it would not be enough and UAB went on to win 4-3.
"I think we played well today," Samford head coach Beanie Ketcham said. "I just waited too long to pull Robyn (Harmon) and that's on me. I thought the pitchers did well. We threw strikes and only gave up four hits."
The Samford pitching staff had a tremendous day giving up just four runs on four hits. Amanda Barrs started and ended the game for the Bulldogs, pitching 2.1 innings overall and striking out two batters while giving up just one earned run on two hits. In between Barrs' two appearances in the game, the rest of the Bulldog pitching staff saw action in the circle as well. Stephanie Royall relieved Barrs in the top of the third inning and pitched two full innings before Kayla Burris pitched the fifth inning. Robyn Harmon (3-3) came on in the sixth inning and struck out one in the sixth and one in the seventh before giving up the Blazers' final three runs to eventually take the loss. Barrs then returned to the mound to try to get the final out.
Samford (19-28, 10-14 SoCon) was led by Barrs and Jessica Owens who both went 2-for-4 at the plate. Barrs also had two RBI and one home run which got the Bulldogs on the board in the fifth inning. The homer was her third of the season and the 15th of her career. Kylie Harmon was 2-for-3 with one run while Robyn Harmon and Amanda Jordan were 1-for-3 at the plate on the day.
Amber Torres (9-6) earned the win for the Blazers. After relieving Kayla Harris in the fifth inning, Torres gave up three runs, two earned, on four hits and struck out one batter. Although she gave up all three of Samford's runs, her team helped her out on the offensive side by getting those last three runs in the seventh.
UAB was led by Laura Callaway who went 2-for-3 with one run. Martina Landrum and Harris combined for the Blazers' other two hits as both were 1-for-3 while Harris had two RBI on the day.
The Blazers plated their first run in the top of the second inning when Callaway scored on a sacrifice fly by Cameron Skates to take a 1-0 lead. After three scoreless innings for the Bulldogs, Samford finally got on the board in the bottom of the fifth when Barrs homered over the center field wall to tie the game.
Samford then took a 2-1 lead in the sixth when Kristy Lawrence scored on a single by Jordan. Jordan advanced to second base on the throw by the right fielder but was thrown out at third base on an attempt to steal.
UAB responded in the top of the seventh with a three-run rally to go ahead, 4-2. Catherine Douglass led off with a walk and stole second while Amanda Allen struck out looking. With runners on the corners, Mandy Lowman came to the plate. Tiffany Smith, who pinch ran for Callaway, stole second before Lowman reached on a fielder's choice that scored Douglass and advanced Smith to third. Donna Plath then pinch ran for Lowman. After Skates popped up, Harris doubled to center field to drive in Smith and Plath.
The Bulldogs could come up with only one more run in the bottom of the seventh inning. With two outs, Kylie Harmon singled through first base and advanced to second on an error by the second baseman. Barrs then singled up the middle to score Harmon before Katie England popped up to end the inning.
Samford now turns its attention to the Southern Conference Tournament which begins Wednesday, May 6, in Chattanooga, Tenn.
"The next couple of days will kind of be just sharp practices," Ketcham said. "We are playing well. We are just going to try to stay sharp, and it's now or never. I'm excited. I think we are going to play well."
Brackets will not be finalized until after all teams finish regular-season play on Sunday, but the Bulldogs currently sit in sixth place in the league standings. Check www.samfordsports.com or www.soconsports.com after Sunday to see finalized brackets for the four-day double-elimination tournament.
