Feb. 18, 2010

Box Score

ITTA BENA, Miss. ---- The Samford softball team fell Thursday in its first midweek matchup to six-time defending Southwestern Athletic Conference champions Mississippi Valley State. The Devilettes defeated the Bulldogs by a score of 6-4. Samford is now 2-2 on the season.

After a scoreless first four innings by both teams, Samford (2-2) finally got on the board in the top of the fifth when Brianna Chambers scored from third base on a passed ball.

The Devilettes then broke out in the bottom of the inning and took a 3-1 lead, sparked by Angelia Jones' lead-off triple. Jones was brought in by a sacrifice fly ball before Tiana Parks doubled with two outs to bring in the second and third MVSU runs.

Samford answered back in the top of the sixth inning to take over the lead, 4-3. Katie England led off the inning by reaching base on an error and then stealing second base. Amanda Barrs was then walked and then a passed ball advanced the runners to second and third to set up a scoring opportunity. Aaren Fisher took advantage of that opportunity to bring in England and Barrs on a triple to right field. Jordan then laid down a bunt to bring home Fisher to but the Bulldogs up by one.

However, MVSU (1-0) matched Samford's sixth inning by posting three runs of their own to take over the lead again, 6-4. The Devilettes' reliever Kimberly Spivey shutout the Bulldogs in the bottom of the inning to secure the win for her team.

Junior shortstop Amanda Jordan led the Bulldogs against MVSU with a 2-for-2 appearance at the plate while batting in one run. Fisher also helped lead the Bulldogs, recording two of Samford's three RBI while going 1-for-3 at the plate with one run.

Robyn Harmon also tabbed two hits while Amy Gonzalez and Barrs each had one. Barrs and England also scored one run while Chambers scored one for the Bulldogs as well while pinch running for Amanda Jordan. Chambers also stole two bases.

Harmon (1-1) started at the circle for the Bulldogs and was credited the loss, pitching five and two-thirds innings. She gave up six runs on eight hits, but struck out eight batters and only walked one. Barrs closed out sixth inning for the Bulldogs. She gave up just one hit and walked one batter.

MVSU was led by Jones who went 2-for-3 at the plate with two runs. Shanika Randall and Tiana Parks combined for four of the Devilettes' six RBI. Lisa Jansen (1-0) grabbed the win in the circle for MVSU, pitching six complete innings. She gave up three earned runs on seven hits, walked two batters and struck out four. Spivey pitched the final inning and earned the save. She did not record any strikeouts in five batters faced but walked one.

The Bulldogs will be back in action Sunday as they are set to open home play against Miami (OH) in a doubleheader. The first game is slated for 11 a.m. and will be followed by a second game that should begin at approximately 1 p.m.