Feb. 12, 2012

Box Score

DELAND, Fla. ---- The Samford softball team dropped another close decision to the Iona Sunday, as the Gaels edged out the Bulldogs, 2-1, to close out opening weekend at the Stetson Invitational in DeLand, Fla.

Like their first meeting on Saturday, stellar pitching from both teams limited offensive production as Samford (2-2) and Iona (3-1) both forced plenty of putouts. The Bulldogs held the slight edge in hits, 6-5, but could not bring runners home as they left eight on base. Kayla Shaffer led the team in hits, going 2-4 from the plate while starting pitcher Misha Aldridge scored the team's only RBI, driving Robyn Harmon home on a two-out double. On the mound, Aldridge earned another tough loss, allowing two earned runs early but limiting the Iona offense to only three hits, all singles, in the remaining five innings pitched.

The Gaels put their runs on the board early, jumping ahead 2-0 in the bottom of the first. After a leadoff groundout, their second and third hitters both got on base. A popup to Harmon put two outs on the board, but Deanne Algeo drove them both home with a double to left field, giving the Gaels the early edge.

The Bulldogs would cut the deficit in half in the top of the third, bringing home a run to make the score 2-1. Kayla Shaffer would try to score all the way from first off a Robyn Harmon double to left-center, but she would be thrown out at home. That allowed Harmon to advance to third on the throw however and, with two outs, Aldridge brought Harmon home with an opposite-field double to right.

Offense was at a premium for the rest of the game, but the Bulldogs managed to threaten late in the game. In the top of the sixth, Samford had runners on first and second with two out but a popup in foul territory would end that run. With one out in the seventh, Madison Dickey drove a single through the left side and then, with Shaffer up to bat, would steal second to put Samford in a position to tie the game late. Neither Shaffer or Harmon could bring her home however, and the Bulldogs had to take another tough one-run loss to Iona.

Over the weekend's four games, Aldridge certainly gained a lot of respect going 4-6 from the plate, including a double and a home run. Teams quickly caught on, as she earned seven walks as well. Samford out-hit their opponents, 32-23, as Shaffer led the team with seven. Aldridge and Harmon led the team with three RBI each while Arica Dykes led the team in stolen bases going 2-2.

Next up, Samford softball plays in its 2012 home opener against Mississippi State on Tuesday, Feb. 14 at 6 p.m.