April 24, 2010

Box Score

ELON, N.C. ---- The Samford softball team split its Southern Conference doubleheader at Elon Saturday. The Phoenix won the first game, 5-3, after a strong comeback effort by the Bulldogs, and then Samford came out victorious in the second game, 2-1. Samford improves to 14-28 overall and 5-12 in the SoCon while Elon falls to 32-14 overall and 14-6 in league play.

In the first game, Elon took a 5-0 lead in the third inning on the heels of a lead-off home run by Kaitlyn Piazzolla and a two-out grand slam by Emerald Graham. After three scoreless innings, Samford mounted a comeback in the top of the seventh inning. With two outs and two runners on, Aaren Fisher hit a three-run shot to left field to cut the score to 5-3, but it would not be enough to overtake the Phoenix and Elon would go on to win.

Along with Fisher, four other Bulldogs each recorded a hit in the first game including Amy Gonzalez, Katie England, Kayla Shaffer and Anna Kimbrell. Fisher's home run earned her three RBI, allowing Shaffer and Kimbrell to score.

Amanda Barrs (2-14) gave up five earned runs on seven hits in six innings of play. She struck out five batters and walked three.

Piazzolla and Ashlee Crewe both went 2-for-3 at the plate while three other Phoenix players had one hit each. Graham led the team with four RBI with her homer while Piazzolla's homer gave her one run and one RBI.

Erin O'Shea improved to 14-4 on the season as she pitched a complete game and gave up three earned runs on five hits. She walked four batters and recorded two strikeouts.

In the second game, Samford grabbed a 1-0 lead in the top of the second inning. Amanda Jordan singled and then stole second to get into scoring position with one out. After Shaffer struck out, Rachael Reeves singled up the middle to drive in Jordan to score Samford's first run of the game. The Bulldogs added another run in the top of the fifth when Katie England walked with the bases loaded to give Samford a 2-0 lead.

Lauren Taylor hit a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the seventh to drive in Pam DelPizzo to score the first run of the game for Elon, but it would not be enough as Samford went on to win, 2-1.

Reeves led the Bulldogs with a 2-for-3 performance at the plate along with one run and one RBI. England, Jordan and Tessa Frates also each had one hit while England had the other Samford RBI.

Stephanie Royall (7-7) earned the win, pitching six innings and giving up just one earned run on six hits while striking out two batters and walking one. Kayla Burris earned her second save of the season as she came in and closed out the game, recording one strikeout.

Five Elon players each recorded one hit including Hannah Shelton, Tomeka Watson, Graham, Caitlin McGowan and Piazzolla. DelPizzo scored the only run while Taylor had the only RBI.

Taylor also pitched a complete game, giving up two earned runs on five hits. She struck out five batters and walked two.

The Bulldogs and Phoenix will play a rubber game to close out the series Sunday at 12 p.m. CDT. A full recap and stats will be posted on www.samfordsports.com upon the completion of the game.