April 9, 2012
Full Release Notes 
SAMFORD HEADS TO UAB FOR DOUBLE HEADER
Samford will make the short trip to downtown Birmingham for a double header against UAB on Tuesday, April 10 beginning at 5 p.m. CT.
OPPONENT SCOUTING REPORT
UAB (23-14, 9-3 C-USA) - The Blazers have been playing well this season, especially since the start of conference play. Their 9-3 Conference USA record puts them in second place, only one game behind Tulsa at 10-2. This season, the Blazers are 7-5 at their home field, with their last home win coming against Troy last Tuesday, April 3. The offensive effort is led by Mandy Lowman, who is hitting .414 this season with 14 extra-base hits and 27 RBI, good for a team-leading .697 slugging percentage. Three other hitters are above .300 this season, as Kayla Orr (.368) Kristen McGrath (.317) and Catherine Crawford (.315) have all seen over 100 at bats. Their leader in the circle is Lannah Campbell (10-5), who has a 1.98 ERA over 88.1 innings, including 99 strikeouts and only 13 walks.
LAST TIME OUT: UNCG
Samford split games in day one thanks to a gutsy game two victory, but ultimately dropped the series with a high-scoring loss in game three. Game one was a back-and-forth affair with three lead changes, though UNCG ultimately came out in front thanks in part to a late three-run rally in the top of the sixth as they won, 5-3. The Spartans scored two in the top of the second to take the early lead, but Samford answered back in the bottom of the fifth with three runs to take the 3-2 lead. With Julianne Surane at second, a hard ground ball by Madison Dickey bounced away from the UNCG second baseman into foul territory, allowing Dickey to advance to second and Surane to score on the play. A bad putout attempt by the shortstop on an Alex Adams ground ball allowed Dickey to come home and Adams to move to second, tying the game. After advancing to third, a shallow fly ball to left field by Misha Aldridge dropped in play, bringing home Adams for the lead. The Spartans answered immediately in the next half-inning however, taking a 5-3 lead which proved final.
The Bulldogs bounced back for a game two victory behind good pitching and defense, winning the low-scoring game 2-1. An RBI double by Rachel Bickert put Samford on the board, 1-0, in the bottom of the fourth and a bad putout attempt at third to Abby Adams in the bottom of the sixth brought her home to put Samford up 2-0. UNCG would hit a solo home run in the top of the seventh but it would be too little, too late as Samford held them off.
Game three was a stark contrast to game two, as the teams combined for 23 hits with UNCG edging out Samford, 13-8. Julianne Surane went 4-5 at the plate, driving one run in and scoring two herself. Misha Aldridge earned two hits, including a grand slam in the bottom of the fourth that brought Samford within four, down 11-7. Samford could not overcome the deficit however, as they ultimately fell 13-8.
PHENOMENAL FIELDING
In a game where offense was at a premium, the Bulldog pitching and defense stepped up in the game two victory over UNCG. There were no errors for either team, making it Samford's sixth error-free game this season. It is only the eighth time this season in which Samford has limited an opponent to two or less runs, bringing the Bulldogs' record to 5-3 in that situation. It was also freshman Shelby Scott's finest performance in the circle so far this season, as it was her first complete game and the seventh-inning solo home run was the only extra-base hit she gave up all game.
WEATHER OUTLOOK: TUESDAY, APRIL 10
Birmingham, Ala.
Temperatures in the mid 70s
Mostly Sunny
High: 79, Low: 47
10 mph wind
Precipitation: 10 percent
UP NEXT
The Bulldogs travel to Greenville, S.C. for the next conference series against the Furman Paladins. The three-game series begins with a double header on Saturday, April 14 at noon CT.
