May 12, 2010

Box Score

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The Samford baseball team overcame a four-run deficit to claim an 8-7 win over the Alabama Crimson Tide Wednesday evening at Joe Lee Griffin Field.

The win gives Samford the season sweep over Alabama, and it marks the Bulldogs' third-straight win over the Crimson Tide. Samford improves to 27-20 on the season, while Alabama drops to 29-20. The game was played in front of 1,835 fans, the fourth-largest crowd in Joe Lee Griffin Field history.

Samford was led at the plate by Mason Meredeth, going 3-for-5 with a double and three RBI, and Wayne Miller, going 3-for-5 with a double and two RBI. Trey Hayes went 2-for-4 for the Bulldogs.

Andrew Jones (5-2) pitched 1.2 hitless innings of relief to get the win for Samford. Lex Rutledge tossed the final inning, allowing just one hit to earn his ninth save of the season. Mark Lewallyn, Michael Gunter, Joshua VanFleteren, Rumiko Forrester and Tyler Vanderheiden also saw time on the mound for Samford.

"This was big for us to come out and win tonight with our guys being in the middle of finals and with graduation coming up for several of our guys," Samford head coach Casey Dunn said. "Three of our seniors (Miller, Meredeth and Hayes) had great nights at the plate, and Andrew and Lex were solid again at the end of the game for us."

For Alabama at the plate, Jake Smith went 2-for-4 with two home runs and four RBI. Jon Kelton went 2-for-4 with a double, a home run and two RBI. Josh Rutledge and David Kindred each went 2-for-4 at the plate for the Crimson Tide. Brett Whitaker (1-3) pitched the final 2.0 innings, giving up one run on two hits to take the loss.

Alabama jumped on top first with two runs in the top of the second inning. Kelton hit a home run to right field with Kindred on base for a 2-0 Alabama lead.

Samford came back with a run in the bottom of the third inning. Miller doubled to right-center field to drive in Brad Moss to make the score 2-1.

The Crimson Tide got its second two-run home run of the game in the top of the fourth inning when Smith homered to left field with Rutledge on base for a 4-1 lead.

Samford added a run in the bottom of the fifth inning to cut the Alabama lead to 4-2. Meredeth singled to left field to drive in Austin Allison to bring Samford to within two runs.

In the top of the sixth inning, another two-run home run gave the Crimson Tide a 6-2 lead. Smith homered for the second time in the game, again with Rutledge on base, for a four-run Alabama lead.

Samford took the lead for the first time when the Bulldogs plated five runs in the bottom of the sixth inning for a 7-6 lead. Moss walked with the bases loaded to drive in Hayes for Samford's first run of the inning. Miller then singled to center field to drive in Gary Cramer to make the score 6-4. Stephen Ballard then scored when Michael Johnson reached base on a fielder's choice to bring Samford to within one run. Meredeth then doubled down the left-field line to drive in Johnson and Moss to give Samford the 7-6 lead.

Alabama tied the score with a run in the top of the seventh inning. Taylor Dugas walked with one out to start the rally and later scored from third base on a wild pitch to knot the score at 7-7.

Samford answered with one final run in the bottom of the seventh inning for an 8-7 lead. Hayes doubled to lead off the inning and then moved to third base on a sacrifice bunt by Cramer. Bo Smith then hit a sacrifice fly to left field to drive in Hayes for the game-winning run.

Jones and Rutledge then held Alabama scoreless for the final two innings to secure the win.

Prior to the game, Samford's new softball coach, Stephanie VanBrakle threw out the ceremonial first pitch.

Samford will return to action on Friday when the Bulldogs play host to Southern Conference foe Western Carolina in the first game of a three-game league series. The series is scheduled to start Friday at 6 p.m. The teams will also play Saturday at 3 p.m., and Sunday at 1 p.m. Prior to Sunday's game, Samford will honor its 10 seniors who will be playing their final game at Joe Lee Griffin Field.