May 7, 2009
Box Score
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. ---- The Samford softball team scored three runs in the first two innings and allowed only one run from Appalachian State Thursday evening as the Bulldogs defeated the No. 3 seeded Mountaineers, 3-1, in the second round of the 2009 Southern Conference Softball Tournament.
"We are getting solid pitching, great defense and timely hitting," Samford head coach Beanie Ketcham said. "That's what it takes to win. (Amanda) Barrs gave us good innings, and Robyn (Harmon) shut the door. We took advantage of their mistakes early and got a few timely hits, and we did not let them back in the game."
The Bulldogs will now face No. 1 seed Chattanooga Friday at 2 p.m. CT in the quarterfinal round of the tournament. The game will be played at Chattanooga's Jim Frost Stadium.
"We are ready to fight against Chattanooga," Ketcham said. "They are a tough opponent so it will take the same kind of effort we had today to beat them."
Samford (21-28) took an early 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning with the help of an Appalachian State error. Jessica Owens led off with an infield single before advancing to second base on the error. Kylie Harmon laid down a sacrifice bunt but the throw from third base to first base was off allowing Harmon to take first and Owens to score.
The Bulldogs added two more in the bottom of the second inning to push the lead to 3-0. Robyn Harmon led the inning off with a single to left center before advancing to second when Aaren Fisher was hit by a pitch. Amanda Jordan laid down a sacrifice bunt to move the runners over, and then Amy Gonzalez flied out and brought Harmon in. Owens followed with a double to bring Fisher home before the Mountaineers were able to get out of the inning.
Appalachian State (26-28) plated its only run of the game in the top of the fifth inning. With one out, Samford pitcher Amanda Barrs loaded the bases and hit Katie Boyd with a pitch to walk in the run. The Bulldogs were able to close out the inning, though, after a pitching change (Robyn Harmon for Amanda Barrs) and long break in play. The game was suspended because of lighting problems and then moved to another field before Harmon was able to throw one pitch. When play resumed, Harmon struck out ASU's Lighton, swinging.
"She had not thrown a pitch yet before the break in play," Ketcham said. "But she is tough, so it doesn't surprise me that she came in and got the job done."
Barrs (5-13) earned the win for Samford going 4.2 innings, giving up just five hits and one run while Harmon earned her first save of her career, not allowing one hit in her 2.1 innings. Both pitchers struck out two batters each while Barrs only walked one.
Owens and Barrs were both 2-for-3 at the plate against the Mountaineers while Owens had one RBI. Robyn Harmon had Samford's fifth hit while scoring one run.
Ashley Stubbs took the loss for Appalachian State, allowing three runs, two earned, while giving up four hits. Kayla Richardson came on in relief and threw 4.1 innings while allowing just one hit.
Five Mountaineer players each had a hit while Boyd was credited with ASU's only RBI.
Friday's game begins at 2 p.m. CT and will be available for viewing through live video streaming on SoCon.TV. Fans can also follow all the action via live stats on www.soconsports.com and a full recap and results will be available on www.samfordsports.com after the game.
