Box Score BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Samford senior first baseman Caleb Bryson hit a three-run home run in the first inning to give the Bulldogs the early lead on their way to a 6-2 win over in-state rival Troy Tuesday evening at Joe Lee Griffin Field.
 
Samford's Cody Pugh (3-3) pitched 4.0 innings, giving up two runs on three hits to earn the win on the mound for the Bulldogs. Cole Limbaugh, Mikel Belcher, Patrick McGavin and Mark Donham combined to throw the final 5.0 innings without allowing a run to finish the game for Samford.
 
"That was a huge hit by Caleb to get us rolling," Samford head coach Casey Dunn said of the first-inning homer. "Cody got us off to a decent start on the mound, and then the other guys came in behind him and threw well."
 
Bryson went 1-for-4 at the plate with the home run and three RBI. The homer was his eighth of the season, tying him for the team lead with Tyler Filliben and Heath Quinn. Frankie Navarrete went 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI, while Danny Rodriguez went 2-for-3 for the Bulldogs.
 
For Troy at the plate, Nick Masonia went 2-for-3 to lead the way. Trevin Hall drove in two runs, going 1-for-4. Cody Hughes (0-1) pitched 1.0 inning, giving up four runs on two hits to take the loss on the mound for the Trojans.
 
Samford jumped on top first with three runs in the first inning. T.J. Dixon and Jared Watson walked to lead off the inning. After the next two batters were retired, Bryson hit a home run to left-center field to give Samford a 3-0 lead.
 
Troy plated its two runs in the top of the second inning to close to within one run. With two outs in the inning, Matthew Howard singled up the middle to start the rally. Masonia then reached base on an infield single, moving Howard to second base. Hall then doubled to right-center field to drive in Howard and Masonia to make the score 3-2.
 
Samford added a run in the bottom of the second inning to push its lead to 4-2. Rodriguez singled up the middle to lead off the inning. Tripp Martin then walked, moving Rodriguez to second base. Rodriguez and Martin each moved up a base on a ground out by Navarrete. Watson then singled to left field to drive in Rodriguez for a two-run Samford lead.
 
The Bulldogs plated another run in the bottom of the third inning to make the score 5-2. With two outs in the inning, Brandon Powell reached base on an infield single. Rodriguez then walked, moving Powell to second base. Martin then doubled down the left-field line to drive in Powell for Samford's fifth run of the game.
 
Samford plated one final run in the bottom of the fifth inning for a 6-2 lead. With one out in the inning, Rodriguez singled through the right side of the infield. Rodriguez advanced to second base when Martin reached base on a Troy error. Rodriguez then advanced to third base when Martin was caught stealing at second base. Navarrete then doubled to right field to drive in Rodriguez for the game's final run.
 
With the win, Samford improves to 25-16 on the season, while Troy drops to 20-21. The win gives Samford the sweep of the season series with the Trojans, and the Bulldogs are now 8-3 against in-state teams so far this season.
 
Samford will return to action on Friday, April 25, when the Bulldogs open a three-game home Southern Conference series with Western Carolina. Friday's series opener is scheduled for a 6 p.m. start from Joe Lee Griffin Field. The teams are also scheduled to play Saturday at 2 p.m. and Sunday at 1 p.m.