April 22, 2012

Box Score

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The Samford baseball team plated eight runs in the fifth inning to overcome an early seven-run deficit on its way to a 10-9 win and a Southern Conference series sweep over Western Carolina Sunday afternoon at Joe Lee Griffin Field.

Western Carolina jumped out to quick 7-0 lead with seven runs in the top of the first inning. Samford came back with a run in the third inning, eight in the fifth and one in the eighth to take a 10-7 lead. The Catamounts came back with two runs in the top of the ninth, but Samford was able to hold on for the 10-9 win.

Lex Rutledge (1-3) entered the game in the top of the second inning and pitched 4.0 scoreless innings of relief to earn the win. Rutledge allowed just two hits and struck out four batters in the win. Michael Gunter, Joseph Burns, Tyler Vanderheiden and Arthur Strauss combined to hold WCU scoreless over the next three innings, and C.K. Irby pitched final inning to earn his eighth save of the season.

"It started with an awesome effort from Lex, coming in when he did and really pitching four great innings," Samford head coach Casey Dunn said. "We finally took advantage of some of their mistakes in the fifth. But really, just a great job by Lex, and all of the guys until the ninth, really came in and did a great job. We put up seven zeros between two bad innings. The effort of those five guys was pretty good."

Samford was led at the plate by Christiaan Durdaller, going 3-for-4 with a double and an RBI. Austin Allison also went 3-for-4 for the Bulldogs. Tommy Corbin went 2-for-3 with an RBI, while Brad Moss went 2-for-5 with a double and an RBI.

Irby, in addition to earning the save, drove in three runs with a double in a 1-for-4 performance. Zeth Stone drove in two runs, going 1-for-5 at the plate.

For Western Carolina, Ross Heffley went 3-for-4 with a home run and two RBI. Tyler White went 3-for-5 for the Catamounts, Adam Martin went 2-for-5 with an RBI and Bradley Strong was 2-for-6 with an RBI. Adam Curtis (4-1) pitched a third of an inning, giving up three runs on one hit to take the loss for Western Carolina.

After Western Carolina plated seven runs in the top of the first inning, Samford put its first run on the scoreboard in the bottom of the third inning. Durdaller doubled to left-center field to lead off the inning. Durdaller then moved to third base on a fly out by Allison, and scored on a ground out by Stone to cut the WCU lead to 7-1.

Samford came back to take the lead for good with eight runs in the bottom of the fifth inning. Corbin singled to center field to start the rally. With one out in the inning, Corbin advanced to second base on a wild pitch. After Allison reached base on an infield single, Stone singled to right field to drive in Corbin to make the score 7-2. Moss then doubled to left-center field to drive in Allison. After Saxon Butler walked to load the bases, Stone scored from third base on a passed ball to cut the WCU lead to 7-4.

Phillip Ervin then walked to load the bases again. With two outs in the fifth inning, Irby doubled to right-center field to drive in Moss, Butler and Ervin to tie the score at 7-7. Corbin then singled to right field to drive in Irby for an 8-7 Samford lead. After Corbin advanced to second base on a wild pitch, Durdaller singled up the middle to drive in Corbin to make the score 9-7.

Samford added an insurance run in the bottom of the eighth inning to push its lead to 10-7. Butler singled to left field to drive in Allison, who had singled earlier in the inning, for the eventual game-winning run.

Western Carolina plated two runs in the top of the ninth inning, but Samford was able to hold on for the 10-9 win. White singled to left field to lead off the inning. Martin then doubled down the left-field line, moving White to third base. With one out in the inning, Aaron Attaway singled through the right side of the infield to drive in White to make the score 10-8. Julian Ridings then hit a sacrifice fly to center field, driving in Martin for the game's final run.

With the win, Samford earned the series sweep over Western Carolina. Samford improves to 25-15 overall and 13-8 in Southern Conference play. Western Carolina drops to 25-15 overall and 10-8 in league games.

Samford will return to action on Tuesday when the Bulldogs play host to the Alabama Crimson Tide. The game is scheduled for a 6 p.m. start from Joe Lee Griffin Field.