April 28, 2010

Box Score

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. ---- The Samford softball team fell just short of defeating its in-state rival Jacksonville State Wednesday night in a 3-2 loss on the road. The Bulldogs fall to 14-30 overall while the Gamecocks improve to 24-17.

After a quick inning and a half with no runs scored, Jacksonville State got on the board first in the bottom of the second inning when Amanda Crow hit a home run to center field with one out. The Gamecocks then added another run in the third inning on a lead-off homer by Nikki Prier.

Samford finally got on the board in the top of the fifth inning when Anna Kimbrell hit a two-run shot with one out to tie the game. However, JSU would come back and add one more run in the bottom of the inning on an RBI single to deep right field by Prier to drive in Kelci Johnston to secure the win.

This game marked the second-straight game that Kimbrell has hit a home run. She hit one to lead off the sixth inning Sunday against Elon. The homer was the first multi-RBI home run of her career.

Kimbrell led the Bulldogs in the game, going 1-for-3 at the plate with two RBI and one run. Rachael Reeves was the only other Bulldogs to record a hit while Amanda Jordan scored the other run.

Kayla Burris (1-2) took the loss after coming on in relief for Stephanie Royall. She gave up two earned runs on five hits and walked two batters while striking out four in four innings of play. Stephanie Royall gave up one earned run on one hit and walked three batters in one and one-third inning of play. Amanda Barrs closed out the game, pitching just two outs while walking one batter.

Prier led the Gamecocks with a 2-for-2 performance at the plate along with one run and two RBI. Four other JSU players had hits including Crow, Chrissy O'Neal, Tess Echols and Krystal Ruth. Crow also recorded an RBI and a run while Johnston scored a run as well.

Hilary Phillips (8-10) earned the win for the Gamecocks, pitching a complete game while recording seven strikeouts. She gave up just two earned runs on two hits.

The Bulldogs will close out their seven-game road swing this weekend when they head to Cullowhee, N.C., to take on Western Carolina. They will play a doubleheader beginning at 12 p.m. CDT on Saturday followed by the series closer on Sunday at 11 a.m.