April 3, 2010

Box Score

DAVIDSON, N.C. - The Samford baseball team plated two runs in the top of the ninth inning to earn a 6-5 come-from-behind Southern Conference win at Davidson Saturday afternoon at Wilson Field.

With Samford trailing, 5-4 with two outs and the bases loaded in the top of the ninth inning, David Schulze drew a walk to bring home pinch-runner Davis Harrison to tie the score. After a pitching change, Davidson's Matt Sliwiak threw a wild pitch, allowing Wayne Miller to score the eventual game-winning run.

With the win, Samford earns the sweep of the three-game series. Samford improves to 17-10 overall and 8-1 in SoCon play. The 17 wins match the team's win total from last season when the Bulldogs posted a 17-35 record. Davidson falls to 13-15 overall and 4-9 in league play.

Samford's Lex Rutledge pitched the final 1.2 innings, allowing no hits to earn the win and improve his record to 3-0. Mark Lewallyn pitched 3.2 innings of relief, giving up no runs on two hits, and Andrew Jones tossed 1.1 innings in relief, allowing just one hit for the Bulldogs. Lewallyn, Jones and Rutledge combined to keep the Wildcats scoreless over the final six innings of the game.

Samford was led at the plate by Brad Moss, going 2-for-3 with an RBI. Mason Meredeth had a solo home run in a 1-for-4 performance. Miller, Stephen Ballard and Schulze had an RBI each for the Bulldogs.

Davidson was led at the plate by Andrew Barna with a home run and three RBI in a 1-for-4 performance. Michael Goldberg and Michael Zeblo had an RBI each for the Wildcats. Andy Bass pitched 0.2 innings, giving up two runs on one hit to take the loss and drop his season record to 0-2.

Davidson jumped on top first with two runs in the bottom of the second inning. Goldberg singled to drive in Calvin Sigelbaum for the first run of the game. Tommy Piacenza later scored from third base when Zeblo hit into a double play for a 2-0 Davidson lead.

Davidson pushed its lead to 5-0 with three runs in the bottom of the third inning. Barna hit a home run to left field with Danny Weiss and Drew Gadaire on base for a five-run Wildcat lead.

Samford got on the board with a run in the top of the fourth inning. Meredeth led the inning off with a solo home run to cut the Davidson lead to 5-1.

Samford added three runs in the seventh inning to make the score 5-4. Moss singled to drive in Bo Smith for the first run of the inning. Miller then doubled to drive in Moss to make the score 5-3. Ballard then singled to drive in Miller to pull Samford to within one run.

In the ninth inning, pinch-hitter Gary Cramer led the inning off with a single. Harrison then pinch-ran for Cramer. With one out, Miller walked, advancing Harrison to second base. After a ground out by Ballard advanced the runners to second and third, Meredeth walked to load the bases, setting the stage for the game-tying walk and game-winning wild pitch.

Samford will return to action on Tuesday, April 6, when the Bulldogs play host to in-state rival Troy. The game is scheduled for a 6 p.m. start from Joe Lee Griffin Field. The game can be heard locally on WVSU-FM 91.1, or worldwide on the internet at www.samford.edu/wvsu. The game can also be viewed online via the Bulldog Big Screen at www.samfordsports.com.