April 13, 2010

Box Score

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. ---- The Samford softball team dropped a thriller at UAB Tuesday night as the Bulldogs and Blazers played nine innings before UAB could claim the 4-3 victory. Samford falls to 11-23 on the year while UAB improves to 25-12.

"Overall, I was really pleased tonight with the team's effort," Samford head coach Beanie Ketcham said. "We had a couple of little mistakes that hurt us but overall, I thought we hit the ball better. We are starting to play better offensively and I thought we played solid defense with the exception of a couple of things. We also had solid pitching.

"It's just tough when you go that long with a good team and aren't able to pull out the win. But I was pleased with what I saw. I think if we work from here and take this momentum into Thursday, we will be fine."

Amanda Barrs led the Bulldogs with a 2-for-3 performance at plate while also pitching seven full innings for Samford. While in the circle, Barrs gave up just two earned runs on six hits and struck out four batters. Stephanie Royall took the loss, bringing her record to 6-6. She pitched one and one-third inning, giving up three hits and the winning run.

Katie England was 2-for-4 and had one of Samford's three RBI while five other Bulldogs grabbed one hit each. Kayla Shaffer's only hit of the game earned her an RBI while Amanda Jordan grabbed the third Samford RBI.

Lauren Webster (12-4) earned the win for UAB, striking out four batters and giving up just one hit in the last three innings. Amber Torres started in the circle for the Blazers, giving up three run on seven hits while striking out six batters.

Martina Landrum led the Blazers at the plate, going 2-for-3 with one run. Kayla Orr also had two hits in five appearances at the plate while also scoring one run. Five other Blazers had one hit while Catherine Douglass brought in two RBI.

Fisher led off for Samford in the first inning with a base hit to the shortstop before moving into scoring position on a sacrifice bunt by Barrs. Fisher then scored on a single up the middle by England. Adams then reached on a fielder's choice but England advanced to second on a throwing error by the shortstop. However, Jordan struck out looking before Gonzalez grounded out to the pitcher to end the first inning. The Bulldogs were able to retire the Blazers in the bottom of the inning, giving up just one hit and Samford led, 1-0, going into the second inning.

The Bulldogs went three-up, three-down in the top of the second inning before the Blazers loaded the bases with two outs. However, Samford was able to get out of the inning when Caley Walden grounded out to first base.

The Blazers finally got on the board in the bottom of the third inning when Kate Armstrong flied out with the bases loaded to drive in Cameron Skates from third base and tie the score at one run a piece. Then UAB took the lead on a run scored on a groundout to the shortstop before Barrs struck out Sisson looking to end the inning.

UAB took a 3-1 lead when Landrum scored on an error by the third baseman with one out but the Bulldogs were about to recorded the last two outs before the Blazers could do anymore damage.

Samford cut the lead to one in the top of the sixth on a sacrifice bunt by Jordan to drive in England from third base. Then Shaffer batted in Adams to tie the score at three with two outs. However, Landrum made a diving catch in centerfield to retire Robyn Harmon and get the Blazers out of the inning.

A scoreless seventh inning on both ends forced extra innings and the Bulldogs then pushed it to a ninth inning.

However, UAB retired Samford quickly in the top of the ninth with a groundout, a strikeout and a pop-up. Orr led off the ninth for the Blazers with a single and advanced to second on an error before advancing to third on a passed ball. Royall then struck out Armstrong swinging before Douglass reached first base on a fielder's choice to drive Orr home for the winning run.

Samford begins an eight-game home swing Thursday as it hosts Ole Miss for a doubleheader. The first game begins at 5 p.m., followed by the night cap approximately 30 minutes after the conclusion of the first. The Bulldogs will then jump back into conference play and play host to Georgia Southern this weekend before reuniting with UAB on Wednesday. The homestand concluded with a doubleheader against Mississippi Valley State and Jackson State next Thursday.