May 6, 2011

Box Score

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The Samford baseball team dropped an 8-5 decision in 11 innings to the SIU Edwardsville Cougars in the first game of a three-game non-conference series Friday night at Joe Lee Griffin Field.

"This was a disappointing night for our guys, really from the beginning on," Samford head coach Casey Dunn said. "There was not a lot of focus or intensity from our kids and I think our performance followed that attitude."

With the loss, Samford drops to 27-19 on the season. SIU Edwardsville improves to 20-22 with the win.

Samford was led at the plate by junior catcher Brad Moss, going 4-for-5 with a home run, a double and three RBI. Phillip Ervin, Kevin Putkonen and C.K. Irby had two hits each for the Bulldogs.

Lex Rutledge (5-4), the last of five pitchers used by Samford, tossed the final 2.0 innings, giving up three runs on six hits to take the loss. Kyle Putkonen started the game on the mound, pitching 6.0 innings, giving up three runs on seven hits and striking out seven batters. Tyler Vanderheiden, Arthur Strauss and Andrew Jones also saw time on the mound for the Bulldogs.

For SIU Edwardsville, James Vazquez went 4-for-6 with a double to lead the Cougars at the plate. Travis Becherer went 2-for-4 with two RBI, while Zach Hawkins went 2-for-6 with two RBI. Chase Green went 3-for-6 at the plate for SIUE. Thad Hawkins (3-2) pitched 3.0 innings, giving up no runs on three hits to earn the win.

The teams entered the top of the 11th inning tied at 5-5, but the Cougars plated three runs to take an 8-5 lead. Devin Caldwell doubled to drive in Vazquez for the eventual game-winning run. Hawkins then singled to drive in Caldwell for a two-run SIUE lead. Brett Keeler later singled to drive in Hawkins for the game's final run.

In the bottom of the 11th inning, following a lead-off single by Moss, three-straight outs were recorded to end the game and give the Cougars the 8-5 win.

SIU Edwardsville jumped out to an early 3-0 lead with a run in the first inning and two runs in the third. Samford, however, came back with a run in the third inning and another in the fifth to cut the lead to 3-2.

Samford took the lead with three runs in the bottom of the seventh inning. Moss doubled to right field to drive in Tyler Filliben and Irby for a 4-3 Samford lead. Putkonen later singled to right field to drive in Moss to make the score 5-3.

SIU Edwardsville came back with two runs in the top of the ninth inning to tie the score at 5-5. Becherer singled up the middle to drive in Vazquez and Green to tie the score.

Samford had a chance to take the win in the bottom of the ninth inning. With one out in the inning, Putkonen singled through the right side of the infield to start the rally. Pinch-hitter Tripp Swann then doubled down the right field line, but Putkonen was caught and tagged out between third base and home and then Swann was thrown out trying to go to third to end the inning and send the game into extra innings.

In the game, each team left 12 runners on base. Samford and SIU Edwardsville each pounded out 16 hits in the contest. Samford did not commit an error in the field, compared to one for SIU Edwardsville.

The two teams will continue their series with a game Saturday at 2 p.m. Prior to the game Samford will induct Robert Evans into the Samford Baseball Hall of Fame.

The game can be heard locally on WVSU-FM 91.1, or worldwide on the internet at www.samford.edu/wvsu. The game can be viewed online via the Bulldog Big Screen at www.samfordsports.com. Fans can also follow the game online via GameTracker at the link below.

GameTracker For Saturday's Game