March 7, 2010

Box Score

TEMPE, Ariz. ---- The Samford softball team rounded out play in the Arizona State Wilson/Demarini Invitational Sunday with a 3-2 win over Idaho State. Katie England's sixth inning home run broke a 2-2 tie and sent the Bulldogs home on a winning note. Samford moves to 7-8 on the season while Idaho State falls to 2-9.

After holding the Bengals to one hit in the top of the first inning, Samford came out and grabbed a quick 2-0 lead when Robyn Harmon scored on a fielder's choice by England. With two outs and runners on second and third, Amy Gonzalez scored on a ground out to third base by Alex Adams to give the Bulldogs a two-run advantage.

After a three-up three-down inning for both teams in the second, Idaho State got on the board on a two-out double in the top of the third. The Bengals held Samford scoreless for the next three innings before tying the score at two on lead-off home run in the sixth inning.

However, Samford answered back and took the lead on England's second homer of the tournament and of the season. The Bulldogs were able to hold ISU scoreless in the top of the seventh to hang on for the win.

Harmon (2-2) pitched her second-straight complete game, giving up just two earned runs on 10 hits while striking out three batters. She was also 1-for-3 at the plate with one run on the day. Gonzalez and England also were 1-for-3 for the Bulldogs with one run. England also recorded two RBI.

"(Robyn) Harmon pitched well," Samford Head Coach Beanie Ketcham said. "They had 10 hits but weren't able to string anything together. Offensively, we jumped on them early but their pitcher did a good job of keeping us off balance after that. But (Katie) England came up with that big home run in the sixth to give us the lead and we were able to hang on for the win."

Kandis Clesson took the loss for the Bengals, giving up three earned runs on three hits. She walked two batters and struck out six in six inning of play. Desirae Hoffman was a perfect 4-for-4 for the Bengals at the plate. She and Megan Miller scored both of ISU's runs while Miller was 2-for-4 with one RBI. Taylor Marchione and Erin Olander went 2-for-3 and Marchione recorded one RBI.

The Bulldogs are back at home next weekend, March 13-14, as they open up Southern Conference play at home. Samford will play host to Appalachian State for doubleheader on Saturday and a single game on Sunday. Both days begin at 1 p.m. CST.