April 17, 2010

Final Stats

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. ---- The Samford softball team split its Saturday doubleheader with Southern Conference No. 4-ranked Georgia Southern in a thrilling eight-inning closer after falling, 1-0, in the series opener. Anna Kimbrell's two-out single drove in Amanda Jordan to lift the Bulldogs over the Eagles, 6-5, and snap Samford's five-game skid. The Bulldogs improve to 12-26 overall and 3-10 in league play while Georgia Southern falls to 21-10, 7-6 SoCon.

"In the first game, we pitched great," Samford head coach Beanie Ketcham said. "We did exactly what we said we were going to do pitching-wise. They are a very aggressive team so I thought Emily (Waters) could keep them off-balance. She did a great job. We just struggled offensively."

Georgia Southern came out of the gate in the first inning of the first game and put its only run up on the second batter. Nina Iduate led off for the Eagles and reached on an error by the Samford shortstop before advancing to second base on the throw. Kelly Burnett then doubled to left field to drive in Iduate but the Bulldogs recorded three quick outs to move to the bottom of the inning.

Kayla Shaffer had the first of only two hits for Samford with a double in the fifth inning before getting thrown out at third base. Alex Adams had the other hit on a two-out single in the bottom of the seventh.

Emily Waters pitched 4.1 innings, giving up just one run on two hits. She struck out three batters and walked two before being relieved by Kayla Burris. Burris pitched 2.2 innings and only had one walk.

Iduate and Burnett had the only two hits for the Eagles while Iduate scored the run and Burnett had the RBI. Brianna Streetmon pitched a complete game, giving up just two hits while striking out six batters.

In the second game, it was Samford who jumped out to the early lead, putting up three runs in the bottom of the first inning. With one out, Samford put together three consecutive singles to start off the inning. With runners on first and second, Adams singled and then advanced to second on the throw which drove in Aaren Fisher for the first run. Amanda Barrs reached on a fielder's choice to score England and then Amanda Jordan was walked to load the bases before Shaffer reached on an error to drive in the pinch runner Madeline Baker. Samford was up, 3-0.

Georgia Southern scored its first run on a home run to centerfield by Sam Russo in the top of the fourth to cut the lead to 3-1. However, Samford extended its lead to 4-1 in the bottom of the fifth when Amy Gonzalez scored from third base on an error by the second baseman.

The Eagles tied the score at four in the top of the sixth inning on a three-run home run by Russo. Then with two outs and runners on first and second, Iduate singled to center field to advance the runners. Mackenzie Williams, who was on second, was called out at third on a throw from center field to third base. Meanwhile, Kaitlynn Szczepanski stole home to put Georgia Southern ahead, 5-4.

The Bulldogs tied the score in the bottom of the inning on a two-out single to centerfield by Kimbrell. A scoreless seventh inning forced an eighth inning and Samford relief pitcher Burris and the Bulldog defense retired the Eagles in the eighth inning on two fly outs and a strikeout.

Jordan led the inning off with a double to center field before Shaffer laid down a sacrifice bunt to advance Jordan to third. Reeves grounded out to third base for the second out, but Kimbrell came up and singled to left field for the walk-off RBI to solidify the win for the Bulldogs.

Four Bulldogs had two hits each in the second game including Fisher, England, Adams and Kimbrell. Jordan and Shaffer each had one hit while five different Bulldogs scored runs. Kimbrell led the Bulldogs with two RBI while Adams, Barrs and Shaffer had one each.

Stephanie Royall started the game for the Bulldogs and pitched five complete innings, giving up four earned runs on six hits with two strikeouts and one walk. Burris (1-1) pitched the final three innings and earned her first win of the season, giving up just one hit while striking out two batters.

"Stephanie (Royall) gave us five solid innings, we just got into a little trouble there and gave up a big hit," Ketcham said. "I was very proud of Kayla Burris, too - getting some good outs for us when we needed them."

Iduate and Russo led the Eagles, each going 2-for-4 at the plate in the second game. Russo scored two runs and had four RBI while three other GSU players scored runs as well. Burnett, Megen Smith and Williams also had one hit each.

Smith started the game for the Eagles, giving up two earned runs on five hits in five innings of play. She also had two walks and two strikeouts. Streetmon pitched the final 2.2 innings and took the loss after giving up the last two Bulldog runs.

"Overall, I was really proud of them," Ketcham said. "Obviously, that is huge for us to be able to come back after having a lead and stick in there. We scored twice when we had to, and off of (Brianna) Streetmon, who is a very good pitcher.

"One of two today was big. Now if we can get a second one tomorrow, we can get on a bit of a roll and take the monkey off our back a little bit."

Samford and Georgia Southern will close the series out Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m. at Bulldog Field. The contest will be broadcasted live locally on Samford's radio station, 91.1 FM WVSU, and online at . Fans can also watch online for FREE via live streaming at upon the completion of the game.