Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 BIRMINGHAM, Ala. ---- Sophomore Shelby Scott was in total control Saturday afternoon at Samford Softball Field, throwing a five-inning no hitter behind an offensive explosion that gave the Bulldogs a 10-0 run rule victory in game one.  The Phoenix bounced back in game two however, winning 2-0 to set up a rubber match tomorrow.
 
This is the second no-hitter for Samford (12-31, 4-13 SoCon) so far this season, with Mollie Hanson throwing the other in a game-three win at UNCG on March 10.  Behind Scott's masterful performance in the circle, the Bulldog offense exploded to the tune of 10 runs, including three home runs.  The three homers are the most Samford has hit in any game so far this season and it is the highest-scoring win since a 12-4 drubbing of George Washington on February 16.  It is also the highest margin of victory for Samford since a 13-1 win over Columbia on March 3 last season.
 
Elon (15-27, 5-12 SoCon) turned the tables on the Bulldogs in game two, shutting the home team out 2-0 thanks to a two-run homer by Carleigh Nester and a complete-game win by Chelsea White in the circle.  Tomeka Watson, one of the SoCon's leading hitters, was limited to only one hit in six at-bats Saturday.
 
GAME ONE: SAMFORD 10, ELON 0 (5 INNINGS)
 
Scott (3-12) earned her third win of the season and snapped a five-game individual losing streak in convincing fashion, walking five while allowing no hits in a run-rule shutout as the Bulldogs hammered the Phoenix, 10-0.  Elon threw four pitchers with starter Kayla Caruso (6-11) ultimately being charged with the loss, allowing three earned runs in the opening 2.0 frames.  Alex Adams and Rachel Bickert both went 2-3 at the plate, with Bickert hitting the third and final home run of the day for the Bulldogs while driving in four of their 10 runs.
 
The two teams would be hitless until the bottom of the second, as Scott helped her own cause with a leadoff single up the middle.  Caroline Wilder, pinch-running for Scott, advanced to second on a groundout and was driven home by Bickert's RBI single up the middle as Samford took the first lead of the game, 1-0.
 
In the bottom of the third, Megan Dowdy roped a ball just over the leaping right-fielder's glove, allowing the speedy freshman to leg out a leadoff triple.  Kayla Shaffer took the ball one step further in the next at-bat, blasting a home run to straightaway center, her first of the season, to stretch the Samford lead to 3-0.  That ended the day for Caruso in the circle as Karen Berna came in and immediately loaded the bases off a single and two walks.  Caitlin Bice grounded out to the right side, driving in one as Samford now led 4-0.
 
Samford ultimately put the game out of reach thanks to a six-run fourth inning.  Shaffer walked with one out and Callie Brister took the ball over the fence in center field as the 'Dogs now led 6-0 thanks to her team-leading fifth long ball of the year.  Elon's third pitcher of the day, Eve Clausen, entered following the home run and later gave up an RBI double to Bice, driving in Alex Adams to make it a 7-0 game.  After walking Abby Adams, Bickert came through with the second homer of the half-inning, clubbing it over the fence to score three and swell the lead to 10-0.  The Phoenix would get a walk in the top of the fifth but Scott retired the rest, preserving the no-hitter and the run rule victory.
 
GAME TWO: ELON 2, SAMFORD 0
 
A two-run homer by Nester in the top of the third would be the only scoring play of the game as Elon edged out Samford, 2-0, in game two of the doubleheader.  Elon starter White (3-11) allowed six hits but worked with the defense to strand eight Bulldog runners on base.  Riding the momentum of game one, Scott (3-13) started game two as well but ultimately exited after 2.1 innings to earn the loss.  Misha Aldridge pitched 4.2 shutout innings behind her but the offense could not capitalize on their comeback opportunities.
 
After the Bulldogs stranded a pair in scoring position in the bottom of the first, Scott's hitless streak in the circle finally ended as Sarah Little broke it with a leadoff single in the top of the second.  The hit didn't come back to bite the Bulldogs though, as a popup and two strikeouts would keep it scoreless through 1 1/2.
 
Watson led off the top of the third with a hard single to right field and was then sacrificed into scoring position.  Nester wasn't playing small ball in her at-bat however, popping a home run in left center to put Elon ahead 2-0.
 
Samford would be limited to only three hits the rest of the game while stranding three runners in scoring position as the Bulldogs failed to drive them home.  Elon ultimately held on for the 2-0 shutout despite committing two errors in the final four innings.
 
The series rubber match is set for a 1 p.m. start at Samford Softball Field on Sunday, April 21.