March 27, 2010

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. ---- The Samford softball team dropped both games of its Saturday doubleheader with Southern Conference rival and defending tournament champion Chattanooga. The two teams played a hard-fought first game that was decided in the eighth inning, 3-2, before Samford's late-game comeback fell short in game two, giving the Lady Mocs the 7-4 win.

"Overall, I thought we played well today," Samford Head Coach Beanie Ketcham said. "I was pleased with our effort and intensity all day long. We just didn't finish well. We are doing some good things and we just have to keep building on that, not stay down and work hard as a team. I think our kids have a lot of character and a lot of determination and I think they are going to keep working hard and we will be playing our best softball over the next few weeks."

In game one, Samford (9-16, 1-6 SoCon) took an early 2-0 lead, shutting out Chattanooga (21-8, 5-0 SoCon) in the first six innings. The Bulldogs got on the board first when Amanda Jordan hit a two-out home run and then they extended the lead to two in the sixth on a single by Anna Kimbrell to drive Jordan in from second.

The Lady Mocs finally scored in the top of the seventh when Della Harrison singled with runners on second and third to bring Sara Poteat home. Next Jenni Martin singled to score Lauren Flores and tie the game at two to force an eighth inning. Chattanooga then took the lead in the top of the eighth with a lead-off homer by Tiffany Baker.

Samford was led in the first game by Jordan who went 2-for-3 at the plate with two runs and one RBI. Four other Bulldogs had hits including Amy Gonzalez, Kimbrell, Rachael Reeves and Kayla Shaffer.

Stephanie Royall (5-3) pitched six and one-third innings, giving up just two earned runs on eight hits with one strikeout and one walk. Amanda Barrs (1-10) finished out the game and gave up the winning home run to take the loss for the Bulldogs.

Eight Lady Mocs had at least one hit in the first game. Lyndsey Stiles went 2-for-3 while Martin, Kaiti Kelly, Baker, Poteat, Jessica Traxler, Flores and Harrison each had one. Martin, Baker and Harrison each recorded Chattanooga's three RBI.

Brooke Loudermilk (12-5) started the game for the Lady Mocs, pitching six innings and giving up just two earned runs on five hits with eight strikeouts and two walks. Kandice Erwin (4-0) pitched the last two innings and earned the win after shutting out the Bulldogs, recording two strikeouts and giving up just one hit.

In the second game, Chattanooga took a 1-0 lead in the top of the second on a lead-off homer to left field. They then put six runs on the board in the top of the sixth inning on a single, a double and a grand slam home run.

With the Lady Mocs up 7-0, Samford staged a comeback in the bottom of the sixth to finally get on the board. With one out, the Bulldogs put together back-to-back singles by Katie England and Alex Adams to set up a scoring opportunity. Jordan then singled to right center to drive in England and Reeves singled with two outs and the bases loaded to bring home Jordan and Waters (pinch running for Adams). The Bulldogs had cut the lead to 7-3.

England homered in the bottom of the seventh with two outs to cut the lead to three but the Lady Mocs were able to record the final out and salvage the win.

England and Reeves led Samford in game two. England went 2-for-4 with two runs and one RBI while Reeves was 1-for-3 with two RBI. Adams also recorded two hits while Jordan had one hit, one run and one RBI.

Barrs started the game and took the loss, pitching five and one-third innings. She gave up five earned runs on eight hits, walked three batters and struck out three. Kayla Burris relieved and pitched the rest of the sixth inning, giving up two earned runs on one hit with one walk. Royall pitched the seventh inning, recording one strikeout.

Traxler led the Lady Mocs with a 2-for-4 performance at the plate while also recording two runs and one RBI. Flores also went 2-for-4 with one run while four other Chattanooga players recorded a hit. Tia Blosser's only hit of the game was the grand slam in the sixth which earned her four RBI.

Nikki Waters (4-3) started the game for Chattanooga, giving up two earned runs on three hits while also recording five strikeouts and one walk in 6.1 innings. Irwin finished the game, striking out three while giving up two earned runs on three hits.

The Bulldogs and Lady Mocs will meet again Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m., for the series finale. The first part of round one of the Samford Home Run Derby was held Saturday between the games and after the second game. Part two will be held after Sunday's game and part three, if needed, will be held at Tuesday's doubleheader with Mercer.