May 12, 2012

Game 1 Box Score
Game 2 Box Score

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The Samford baseball team split its Southern Conference doubleheader with league-leading Appalachian State Saturday afternoon at Joe Lee Griffin Field. Samford dropped the first game, 7-4, but came back to win the second contest by a score of 4-2.

In the second game, Samford starting pitcher Josh Martin pitched his first complete game of the season, tossing 9.0 innings, allowing two unearned runs on five hits. Martin struck out six batters while allowing just one walk. Martin improves to 10-1 on the season, leading the SoCon in wins.

"It was just a great job by Josh and finally a good job by our hitters in the eighth inning," Samford head coach Casey Dun said. "Thankfully Josh did a phenomenal job and gave us a chance."

Samford trailed 2-0, heading into the eighth inning of game two. The Bulldogs, however plated four runs in the bottom of the eighth inning to take the 4-2 lead. Phillip Ervin walked with one out to start the rally. With two outs in the inning, C.K. Irby doubled to left-center field, moving Ervin to third base. Christiaan Durdaller then doubled down the left-field line to drive in Ervin and Irby to tie the score.

Austin Allison then singled to drive in Durdaller to give Samford a 3-2 lead. Tyler Filliben then singled up the middle, moving Allison to second base. Zeth Stone then singled up the middle to drive in Allison to make the score 4-2.

In the ninth inning, Martin, who had already thrown over 100 pitches, retired the Mountaineers in order to finish the complete game. The win was Martin's Samford-record 22nd of his career.

For Samford at the plate in game two, Allison went 2-for-4 with an RBI. Irby and Saxon Butler had two hits each. Durdaller drove in two runs in a 1-for-3 performance.

Appalachian State's David Port (2-1), one of six pitchers used by the Mountaineers, tossed one third of an inning, giving up four runs on three hits to take the loss. Tyler Zupcic led ASU at the plate in game two, going 2-for-4.

In the first game of the day, Appalachian State scored four runs in the top of the ninth to come from behind for the 7-4 win.

Samford had scored a run in the bottom of the eighth inning to take a 4-3 lead. With two outs in the inning, Stone doubled down the right field line. Brad Moss then singled to right-center field to drive in Stone to break the 3-3 tie.

In the top of the ninth inning, Hector Crespo walked with one out in the inning. After Crespo stole second base, Zupcic walked and Crespo stole third base. Will Callaway then reached base on a fielder's choice to drive in Crespo to tie the score at 4-4. With two outs in the inning, Tyler Tewell singled to right field to drive in Zupcic for a 5-4 ASU lead.

Callaway then scored from third base on a balk to make the score 6-4. Jeremy Dowdy then singled to left field to drive in Tewell to give Appalachian State a 7-4 lead.

In the bottom of the ninth inning, ASU closer Nathan Hyatt came in to pitch for the Mountaineers. Hyatt retired the Bulldogs in order to earn his 12th save of the season. Ryne Frankoff (1-1) pitched a third of an inning in relief to earn the win for ASU.

For Samford at the plate in game one, Moss and Brandon Miller had two hits and an RBI each. Stone also went 2-for-4 in the game for the Bulldogs. Arthur Strauss (0-1) pitched a third of inning, giving up two runs to take the loss for Samford.

ASU was led at the plate in the first game by Tewell, going 2-for-5 with a home run and two RBI. Crespo and Zupcic both went 2-for-4 for the Mountaineers.

With the split, Samford is now 33-18 overall and 19-10 in Southern Conference play. Appalachian State is now 35-12 overall and 19-7 in league play.

Samford and Appalachian State will conclude their three-game series with a single game Sunday at 1 p.m. at Joe Lee Griffin Field. Prior to the game, Samford's 12 seniors will be honored for Senior Day.

Sunday's game can be heard locally on WVSU-FM 91.1, or worldwide on the internet at www.samford.edu/wvsu. The game can also be viewed online on the Bulldog Big Screen at www.samfordsports.com. Fans can also follow the game online via GameTracker at www.samfordsports.com.