March 8, 2011

Box Score

JACKSONVILLE, Ala. - The Samford baseball team dropped a 5-2, rain-shortened contest at Jacksonville State Tuesday evening. The game was called in the bottom of the fifth inning due to heavy rain in Jacksonville.

With the loss, Samford drops to 8-6 on the season. Jacksonville State improves to 8-3 with the win.

Samford was led at the plate by Michael Johnson, going 2-for-3 with a triple and two RBI. Gardner Richey went 2-for-2 at the plate for the Bulldogs.

Samford's Rumiko Forrester (0-1) took the loss on the mound. Forrester pitched a third of an inning, giving up three runs on one hit.

For Jacksonville State, Ben Waldrip went 2-for-3 with a home run and an RBI. Erik Underwood drove in two runs in a 1-for-2 performance. JSU's Tanner Freshour (0-1) pitched a third of an inning to earn the win.

After three and a half scoreless innings, Jacksonville State put the first runs on the scoreboard with three runs in the bottom of the fourth inning. Underwood scored the game's first run when Sam Eberle grounded out to shortstop. Waldrip then hit a solo home run to right field to make the score 2-0. Stephen Bartlett later singled down the right field line to drive in Kyle Bluestein for a 3-0 JSU lead.

Samford came back with two runs in the top of the fifth inning. Richey and Brad Moss both singled. With two outs, Johnson tripled to center field to drive in Richey and Moss to cut the JSU lead to 3-2.

The Gamecocks plated two more runs in the bottom of the fifth inning before the game was called. Underwood doubled to left field to drive in Michael Bishop and Coty Blanchard to make the final score 5-2.

Samford will return to action on Friday when the Bulldogs open Southern Conference play with a series at The Citadel. Friday's series-opener is scheduled for a 5 p.m. (CST) start. The teams will also play Saturday at 1 p.m. (CST) and Sunday at 12 p.m. (CST).