Feb. 13, 2010

Box Score

MOBILE, Ala. ---- The Samford softball team tabbed its first win of the season Saturday in a 10-6 win over Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville on the second day of the Mardi Gras Invitational hosted by South Alabama. Saturday was truly the first full day of play in the three-day tournament after Friday's action was canceled due to winter weather.

Samford jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead in the first inning Amanda Barrs singled to bring in Amy Gonzalez with the bases loaded and two out. Next, Alex Adams doubled to bring in Barrs to put the Bulldogs ahead early in the game.

Samford scored again in the fourth after Aaren Fisher tripled to set up a scoring opportunity. Amanda Jordan then reached on a fielder's choice while Fisher scored to put the Bulldogs ahead 3-0.

After five scoreless innings, the Cougars of SIUE posted all six of its runs in the bottom of the sixth inning. The Cougars then took a 6-3 lead but Samford staged an incredible comeback, scoring seven in the top of the seventh before shutting out the Cougars in the bottom of the inning.

Rachael Reeves led off the inning with a walk before Gonzalez singled to advance her to second. Robyn Harmon then singled to load the bases before Reeves was walked in to score on Katie England's at bat. Barrs then grounded out, bringing home Gonzalez, before England and Harmon scored on a Cougar fielding error. Jordan then singled to bring home Fisher and to bring it all full circle, Reeves singled to score Jordan after Jordan had advanced on two wild pitches.

The Bulldogs were paced by Barrs, Fisher and Jordan who combined for six of Samford's nine RBI. Fisher was Fisher and Jordan went 1-for-3 at the plate while Barrs was 1-for-4. Fisher scored two runs while Jordan and Barrs scored one each. Harmon was 2-for-3 with one run while Adams went 2-for-4 with a run and an RBI.

Leading the defensive effort was Fisher with five putouts along with Adams and Frates four each.

Stephanie Royall (1-0) secured the win for the Bulldogs after pitching two innings in relief of Harmon. Royal gave up unearned two runs on three hits and walked two of 11 batters faced. Harmon pitched five full innings, giving up only three earned runs on six hits. She walked five batters and retired three.

The Bulldogs will be back in action Sunday at 11 a.m. when they face off with Central Arkansas. They will then wrap up play in the Mardi Gras Invitational at 4:30 p.m., as they take on host team South Alabama.