March 20, 2010

Box Score

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Samford's David Schulze doubled to left-center field to drive in Mason Meredeth with the game-winning run in the bottom of the eighth inning to lift the Bulldog baseball team to a 2-1 win over Minnesota Saturday afternoon at Joe Lee Griffin Field.

Schulze led Samford at the plate, going 2-for-3 with a double and two RBI. Wayne Miller, Bo Smith, Austin Allison and Brad Moss had one hit each for the Bulldogs.

Kyle Putkonen pitched 7.1 strong innings, giving up just one unearned run on nine hits, striking out six batters and walking none. Lex Rutledge earned the win, pitching the final 1.2 innings and giving up just one hit.

For Minnesota, Nick O'Shea went 3-for-4 with an RBI. Matt Puhl and Kyle Knudson both went 2-for-4 at the plate for the Golden Gophers. Billy Soule pitched 1.1 innings in relief, giving up one run on two hits to take the loss.

The teams were stuck in a scoreless tie for the first five and a half innings of the game.

Samford put the first run on the board in the bottom of the sixth inning. Miller doubled to left field to start the inning and then moved to third base on a ground out by Stephen Ballard. After Meredeth was intentionally walked, Schulze singled through the left side of the infield to drive in Miller for a 1-0 Samford lead.

Minnesota tied the score with a run in the top of the eighth inning. Michael Kvasnicka singled with one out to start the rally and then advanced to second base on a Samford error. After Rutledge replaced Putkonen on the mound, Knudson lined out to shortstop. O'Shea then singled to left field to drive in Kvasnicka to make the score 1-1.

In the bottom of the eighth inning, Meredeth walked with one out. Schulze then doubled to bring in the game-winning run.

With the win, Samford improves to 11-8. Minnesota falls to 6-13 with the loss.

The teams will conclude their four-game series on Sunday. The final game of the series is scheduled for a 12 p.m. start. Fans can follow the game live on the internet via GameTracker at the link below.

GameTracker For Sunday's Game