Feb. 16, 2012

Game Notes
GameTracker For Friday's Game
GameTracker For Saturday's Game
GameTracker For Sunday's Game

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The Samford baseball will open the 2012 season on Friday, when the Bulldogs play host to the first game of a three-game series against Radford. Friday night's season-opener is scheduled for a 6 p.m. start from Joe Lee Griffin Field. The teams will also play Saturday at 2 p.m. and Sunday at 1 p.m.

Samford returns seven of its eight position starters and all three weekend starters on the mound from a team that set a school record in wins with a 37-23 overall record last season. The Bulldogs posted an 18-12 mark in Southern Conference play, good for a third-place finish in the league standings.

The Bulldogs return six of their top seven hitters from the 2011 lineup. Included in the returnees is Freshman All-American outfielder Phillip Ervin, who led the team with a .371 batting average last season. First baseman Saxon Butler, who set Samford records for doubles (26) and RBI (61), and outfielder Brandon Miller, who led the team with 16 home runs, also return to the lineup this season.

On the mound, Samford is scheduled to start Kyle Putkonen on Friday. Putkonen was 7-2 with a 3.25 ERA last season. Charles Basford, who posted a record of 7-4 and an ERA of 2.45 last season, will start on Saturday. Sunday's starting pitcher for Samford is scheduled to be Josh Martin, who was 6-2 with a 2.76 ERA a year ago.

Also returning to the Bulldogs' pitching staff is a strong bullpen. Leading the way out of the bullpen for Samford is preseason All-American closer Lex Rutledge. Serving as the team's closer as a freshman in 2010, Rutledge had 11 saves, and he posted a record of 5-1 and an ERA of 1.71. Last season, serving as a starter, Rutledge led the team in strikeouts with 79.

Radford returns all eight position starters from a team that set a school record with 31 wins last season (31-25). The Highlanders posted a record of 14-13 in Big South Conference play last season.

The Highlanders are scheduled to start Eddie Butler on the mound in Friday's season-opener. Last season, Butler posted a record of 9-2 and an ERA of 4.15. Saturday's starter is scheduled to be Tyler Costello and Sunday's will be Keith Fritz, both making their first appearances for Radford.

Friday's and Sunday's games can be heard locally on WVSU-FM 91.1, or worldwide on the internet at www.samford.edu/wvsu. Fans can follow all three games online via GameTracker at the links below.

GameTracker For Friday's Game

GameTracker For Saturday's Game

GameTracker For Sunday's Game