March 15, 2012

Box Score

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. ---- Two home runs in the fifth inning provided Samford with enough cushion to propel them to a 5-3 victory over South Alabama Thursday, snapping the Jaguar's seven-game win streak. Samford moves to 5-17 on the season while South Alabama falls to 15-7.

In addition to hitting a two-run homer, Misha Aldridge started in the circle for Samford and pitched a complete game to earn the win and move her record to 3-9. The Jaguars' Katy Neal took the loss, as she falls to 4-2. Samford's other home run came courtesy of Madison Dickey, her third long ball and sixth RBI in the last three games.

The teams were scoreless through two innings, until South Alabama knocked an RBI single in the top of the third to go up 1-0. Pitching remained dominant until the bottom of the fifth, when Julianne Surane hit an infield single and Robyn Harmon drew a walk, putting two runners on. Dickey cleared the bases with a long home run to straightaway center field, giving Samford the 3-1 lead. Alex Adams reached as she was hit by a pitch and Aldridge blasted an opposite-field home run to right center, bringing in two to stretch the lead to 5-1.

Samford was looking to close out the game in the top of the seventh, but South Alabama wouldn't go down quietly. With two out, the Jaguar hitter dropped a bunt for a single and another single to left field put two on. A walk loaded the bases, setting up a two-run double into center field to draw the Jaguars within two, down 5-3 with the potential tying run in scoring position. Shortstop Abby Adams closed the game out by ranging to her left, reaching across her body for the ground ball and rocketing a ball to first base to secure the win.

Samford plays its second conference series this weekend, heading to the College of Charleston for a three-game series beginning Saturday, March 17 with a 1 p.m. double-header.