April 1, 2012

Box Score

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. ---- The Samford softball squad fell in a high-scoring affair to UNCG, falling in Sunday's rubber match, 13-8. The teams combined for 23 hits as both offenses were seeing the ball well, but one big inning by the Spartans ultimately proved the difference.

Samford (9-27, 3-9 SoCon) was led at the plate by Julianne Surane, who went 4-5 at the plate, driving one run in and scoring two herself. This is the second time this season the sophomore has earned four hits in a game, which is a season high. Misha Aldridge and Shelby Scott each had multi-hit games as well, collecting two and three, respectively. Scott (2-5) started the game in the circle, pitching 2.0 innings and giving up four earned runs on three hits to take the loss. UNCG (14-22, 6-6 SoCon) was led at the plate by Eileen Horsmon who went 2-3 with six RBI, while Erica Navarette (3-8) earned the win.

In the top of the second, a single and two hit batters loaded the bases for the Spartans with one out. A popup to second was out number two but a wild pitch to the next batter moved all the runners over, scoring one and putting two in scoring position. A walk loaded the bases again and then a single to shallow center scored two more, as UNCG pulled ahead 3-0.

The Bulldogs plated their first run in the bottom of the second, as a single by Caroline Seay with runners in scoring position scored Scott from third to cut the deficit to 3-1. After a leadoff walk in the top of the third, Aldridge came in relief for the Bulldogs. The Spartan offense came alive in the top of the third as they scored eight runs, including a grand slam, to build an 11-1 lead.

Samford scored one run in the bottom of the third, as a bases-loaded single by Scott made the score 11-2. Samford took a significant cut into the deficit in the bottom of the fourth, as they scored five runs to draw within four. Alex Adams got the rally started, as a bases-loaded single to the left field gap brought home one. With the bases still loaded, Aldridge launched a long drive to opposite field on the first pitch of the at bat as the ball cleared the fence for a grand slam, making the score 11-7.

UNCG added some more cushion in the top of the fifth, as a two-run single pulled them ahead 13-7. Samford scored one in the bottom of the fifth, as Surane knocked a single back up the middle to score Rachel Bickert from second. At the end of the inning the score was 13-8, which proved final as neither team could score in the remaining two innings.

Samford's season continues Thursday, April 5 as they host Middle Tennessee State for a double header at Bulldog Field, beginning at 4 p.m. CT.