March 13, 2010

Box Score

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. ---- The Samford softball team was only able to get one game in Saturday of its scheduled doubleheader with Appalachian State on the opening weekend of Southern Conference play. The Bulldogs fell, 5-2, to the Mountaineers after four hours and five rain delays. The teams will play two games on Sunday starting at 12 p.m.

Samford (7-9, 0-1 SoCon) took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning after a lead-off double by Robyn Harmon set up a scoring opportunity. Amy Gonzalez then reached first base on an error by the shortstop and advanced to second on the throw while Harmon scored the run for the Bulldogs.

The Bulldogs held ASU scoreless for another inning before the Mountaineers tied the score in the top of the third. With two outs, Hayley Grabner was walked. Sarah Rappe then doubled to right center to bring in the run before Samford recorded the third out.

In the top of the fourth, the Mountaineers added two more runs on a two-run home run to take a 3-1 lead before Samford cut the lead to one in the bottom of the fifth. Harmon singled to lead off the inning and advanced to second on a ground out by Gonzalez. After a 20-minute rain delay, Katie England grounded out while Harmon advanced to third. Then Harmon scored on a passed ball.

The Mountaineers sealed the win by adding two more runs in the top of the seventh before retiring Samford in four batters, leaving one runner stranded.

For the Bulldogs, Harmon and Amanda Jordan each recorded two hits while Gonzalez had one. Harmon scored both of Samford's runs while Gonzalez was credited with the Bulldogs' only RBI. Harmon also started the game in the pitcher's circle and took the loss for the Bulldogs, moving her overall record to 2-3. She pitched sixth and two-thirds innings, giving up just three earned runs and walking four batters while striking out four.

Six Mountaineers recorded one hit including Rappe, Grabner, Megan Rembielak, Michelle Lighton, Allie Cashion and Michelle Gorzelle. Rappe and Cashion each had two RBI while Louise Gibson, Cashion, Gorzelle, Grabner and Meghan Smith each had one run. Caitlin Wainright started the game for the Mountaineers and pitched two innings, recording two hits and two walks. Frannie Seader came on in the third inning and pitched the rest of the game, grabbing the win to move her record to 4-0 on the season. Seader gave up just one run on three hits and struck out four batters while walking two.

The Bulldogs and Mountaineers will resume play with the second game of the series on Sunday at 12 p.m., followed by the series finale which will start approximately 30 minutes after the completion of the first game. A full recap and results will be available at www.samfordsports.com upon the completion of both games.