Feb. 27, 2010

Box Score

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. ---- The Samford softball team split its doubleheader Saturday in day two of the Magic City Classic. The Bulldogs started the day off with a 5-2 win over Alabama State before falling to cross-town rival UAB, 8-2. Samford is now 5-4 on the season while UAB moves to 8-4 and Alabama State falls to 2-9.

Samford began action Saturday in the third game of the day, taking on Alabama State. The Hornets, who were the home team for this contest, got on the board quickly in the bottom of the first inning after shutting out the Bulldogs at the top of the inning. However, Samford tied things up in the top of the second when Amanda Jordan homered to right field.

The Hornets took the lead back in the bottom of the inning, but Samford would take the lead back in the top of the third inning. With Rachael Reeves on third and Amy Gonzalez on second, Katie England reached base on a fielder's choice which brought Reeves in to score. Meanwhile, England advanced to second on the throw to home. Amanda Barrs then grounded out to third base which brought Gonzalez home to make it a 3-2 ballgame in Samford's favor.

The Bulldogs added two more runs in the top of the fourth. The first came when Reeves reached first base on an error by third base. Anna Kimbrell, who had just doubled to get into scoring position for Samford, scored while Reeves was reaching base. Reeves scored what would be the winning run when Harmon singled through the right side.

Against the Hornets, Gonzalez led the Bulldogs with a 3-for-4 performance at the plate and one run. Harmon also had two hits while Barrs, Jordan, Kimbrell and Reeves each had one hit. Reeves also scored two runs.

Stephanie Royall (3-0) got the win for Samford, pitching four complete innings while striking out four batters and only giving up two runs on eight hits. Harmon finished out the game, striking out three batters.

For Alabama State, Brehanna Rodrigues and Sosefina Toilolo each went 2-for-4 at the plate while Quaniesha Limbreck went 2-for-3. Amanda Gracia (1-4) took the loss for the Hornets, giving up five runs, three earned, on eight hits and striking out only one batter in five and one-third innings. Destinee Sanchez finished out the game and struck out three batters while giving up just one hit.

In the second game, UAB quickly retired Samford's first three batters before putting four runs on the board in the first inning. They tacked one more on in the bottom of the second inning before adding another in the bottom of the fifth.

Samford finally got on the board in the top of the sixth when Alex Adams singled with runners on second and third. Aaren Fisher then flied out to bring Barrs home and Kayla Shaffer, who was pinch running for Adams, was tagged out trying to steal home.

UAB sealed Samford's fate by adding two more runs in the bottom of the inning to go ahead 8-2 before striking out bottom half of the order to end the game.

Harmon led the Bulldogs, going 2-for-3 with one run while England, Barrs and Adams each also had a hit. Adams and Fisher were credited with one RBI each while Harmon and Barrs scored the runs.

Barrs (1-2) took the loss for the Bulldogs after pitching three and one third innings. She gave up four earned runs on six hits while walking two batters and striking out three. Harmon came in on relief and pitched two and one-third inning with three runs on four hits and two strikeouts. Royall pitched the final out.

Alisha Smith (3-3) got the win for UAB in the circle, pitching sixh inning and giving up just two runs on five hits while striking out four batters. Lauren Webster finished out the game, recording the last three strikeouts.

UAB was led by Martina Landrum with a 3-for-4 performance on the night. She scored two runs while Cameron Skates also had two. Skates also went 2-for-4 at the plate and recorded two RBI. Kayla Orr recorded three RBI on her homerun in the first inning. Kate Armstrong also had a homerun for the Blazers in the fifth inning.

In other Magic City Classic action, Troy defeated Nicholls State, 3-2, in the first game of the day while UAB defeated Alabama State, 11-3.

Samford will round out the Magic City Classic Sunday as it takes on Troy University at 1:15 p.m. CT. UAB and Nicholls State will begin the day's action at 11 a.m.