March 27, 2011

Box Score

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. ---- The Samford softball team fell just short of its first Southern Conference series sweep of the season Sunday afternoon as the Bulldogs dropped the series finale to Western Carolina, 8-7, at Bulldog Field.

Western Carolina (14-19, 1-8 SoCon) took a quick 4-0 lead in the top of the first inning on a grand slam to left field by Morgan Wyatt. The Catamounts added another run in the top of the second as Amelia Griffin scored from third base on an illegal pitch by Nicole Bobrowski.

Samford (7-25, 4-5 SoCon) got on the board in the bottom of the third when Robyn Harmon scored on a wild pitch and Kayla Shaffer scored on a throwing error by the left-fielder. The Bulldogs then cut the WCU lead to one in the bottom of the fourth inning with an RBI single by Harmon to score Bobrowski and a sacrifice fly by Shaffer to drive in Brianna Chambers.

Both teams went quietly in the fifth inning, but WCU extended its lead to 6-4 in the top of the sixth on an RBI double by Haley Pace. Samford matched that run in the bottom of the inning when Whitney Terry singled to right center field with the bases loaded to drive in Shaffer from third. The Catamounts headed into the seventh inning with a 6-5 lead.

In the seventh inning, WCU added two more runs to its side of the scoreboard with an RBI double by Erin Foster and a sacrifice fly by Amber Steinhardt. Samford matched that production again in the bottom of the inning with a two-run home run by Shaffer, but it would not be enough to win the game. The Catamounts would walk away with the sweep spoiler, 8-7.

Shaffer led the Bulldogs Sunday, going 2-for-4 at the plate with three runs and three RBI. Harmon followed with a 2-for-5 performance along with two runs and an RBI while Terry went 3-for-4. Arica Dykes was 2-for-3 while Chambers went 2-for-4 with a run. Bobrowski and Aaren Fisher also had a hit for the Bulldogs while Bobrowski added a run as well.

Bobrowski (2-5) took the loss in the circle, giving up four earned runs on six hits in five innings. She struck out three batters and walked one. Kayla Burris pitched the final two innings of the game, giving up two earned runs on three hits with one strikeout and two walks.

Wyatt and Griffin led the Catamounts, each going 2-for-3 at the plate with two runs. Wyatt also led the team with four RBI. Pace was 2-for-3 with a run and an RBI while Jordan Fulton went 2-for-5 with a run and Foster went 1-for-4 with an RBI.

Beka Burkett (1-4) earned the win, giving up just one earned run on four hits in three innings of work. She also had three strikeouts and a walk. Amber Steinhardt came on in relief and gave up two earned runs on eight hits with two walks in 2.1 innings of play, and Katie King pitched the final 1.2 innings, giving up one earned run on one hit.

The Bulldogs will be back at home Tuesday evening as they close out a 13-game homestand with a doubleheader against Kennesaw State. The first game will start at 4 p.m. CT followed by the second game approximately 30 minutes after the conclusion of the first game.