May 6, 2011

Box Score

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. ---- The Samford softball team fell to the College of Charleston Friday afternoon in a hard-fought battle at Bulldog Field on Senior Day. The Bulldogs dropped a 4-2 decision to the Cougars in the regular-season finale, but will make their way to Statesboro, Ga., next weekend for the Southern Conference Tournament.

Before Friday's game started, Samford honored its five seniors - Kayla Burris, Aaren Fisher, Amanda Jordan, Allison Reynolds and Whitney Terry. This group of seniors has raised the standard of excellence for the Bulldog program and their heart, dedication and selflessness has been incomparable. Over the last five years, this group of young women has altogether posted 169 runs, 294 hits, 34 home runs, 192 RBI and 53 stolen bases.

"As a senior, getting a new head coach is a tough role," Samford head coach Stephanie VanBrakle said. "You've been here for three years and you are kind of set in your ways, and it's not easy to change everything - your swing, your fielding, everything. I think all five of them showed unselfishness throughout the year because they thought of their team; they wanted their team to do well and they want the program to be good. I think that says a lot about them, and I'm glad they were my first senior class here because I think they taught the younger players what the right attitude looks like."

After honoring Samford's seniors and recognizing those graduating from the Charleston team, the two teams went straight to work.

Samford (13-38, 9-15 SoCon) retired Charleston (33-19, 12-11 SoCon) in order in the top of the first inning to start the game. Then in the bottom of the inning, with one out, Robyn Harmon stepped up and hit her fifth home run of the season to put the Bulldogs up, 1-0. The Cougars retired Lakan Smith and Jordan to end the inning but it would not be until the fourth inning that Charleston would score.

Burris pitched a no-hitter through three innings until Kristi Woodall homered with one out and one on in the top of the fourth inning to give the Cougars the 2-1 lead. Charleston shutout the Bulldogs for the next three innings while Samford held the Cougars scoreless in the fifth and the sixth.

Charleston had a chance to extend its lead in the top of the sixth but Samford's defense squashed the opportunity with some stellar fielding on the play. Kelsey Hodgson flied out to lead off the inning before Katie Pesature doubled to right field. Woodall then singled up the middle and advanced to second on the throw and Pesature rounded third and headed home. However, center fielder Kayla Shaffer launched a missile to catcher Terry in time to tag Pesature out and save the run. Then, Burris closed the inning by firing the ball right past Katie Nutaitis for the called strikeout.

The Cougars scored their third and fourth runs on three consecutive doubles in the top of the seventh. With one out, Hillary Stringer doubled down the left field line to set up the scoring opportunity before Carly Corthell flied out to right field. Lizzy Vaughn then doubled to bring in Stringer and Katie Forbes doubled to drive in Vaughn before Kelsey Hodgson flied out to right field to end the inning. Charleston took a 4-1 lead going into the bottom of the seventh inning.

Jordan led off the inning with a fly out to right field and then Fisher followed with a walk to get a runner on the bases for the Bulldogs. Reynolds reached first base when the second baseman bobbled the ball and Fisher advanced to third on the throw. Terry drove in fellow senior Fisher on a sacrifice fly to right field but Shaffer struck out to end the inning, and Charleston walked away with the 4-2 win.

Harmon and Jordan accounted for Samford's two hits in the game while Harmon and Fisher each scored one of Samford's two runs. Burris (9-15) took the loss, pitching her 18th complete game of the season and giving up just two earned runs on four hits. She fanned two batters and walked two.

Woodall led the Cougars, going 2-for-2 with a run and two RBI. Five other players accounted for one of each of Charleston's other five hits. Stephanie Saylors (13-10) earned the win and pitched a complete game, giving up just one earned run on two hits. She struck out three batters and walked one.

The Bulldogs will now turn their attention to the Southern Conference Tournament which will start Wednesday, May 11, in Statesboro, Ga. Right now, Samford holds the seventh seed and will play the second seed at 5 p.m. on Wednesday unless the standings change after the weekend. Go to www.soconsports.com for the latest league standings and check back at www.samfordsports.com for more information on Samford's action in the tournament.