Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Samford freshman outfielder Heath Quinn hit a combined three home runs and drove in nine runs in a Southern Conference doubleheader sweep of Elon Saturday at Joe Lee Griffin Field. The Bulldogs won the first game, 13-8, and then they took the final game by a score of 9-8.
 
With the win, Samford earns the series win, two games to one. Samford improves to 19-13 overall and 6-3 in Southern Conference play. Elon  drops to 20-12 overall and 7-5 in league play.
 
"I think this was a great weekend," Samford head coach Casey Dunn said. "Any time you can sweep a doubleheader from a really good club, that makes it a good weekend."
 
In game one, Quinn went 3-for-3 with two home runs, including a grand slam, and seven RBI. In the second game, Quinn hit a two-run home run, going 1-for-4 at the plate. Also in game one for Samford, freshman center fielder T.J. Dixon went 5-for-6 at the plate. Brandon Powell went 2-for-4 with two RBI.
 
Also in game two for Samford, Tyler Filliben went 2-for-4 with two doubles and two RBI. Filliben has now hit safely in 16-consecutive games. Drew McWhorter and Frankie Navarrete had two hits each for Samford in the second game, and Tripp Martin homered and drove in two runs.
 
Jared Brasher (1-2) got the win on the mound in game one, pitching 5.0 innings, allowing three runs on four hits. Andres Gracia earned his ninth save of the season, tossing the final 1.2 innings, without allowing a hit. In game two, Alex Milazzo pitched 6.1 strong innings, allowing four runs, just three earned. Gracia (2-0) pitched the final inning to pick up the win for the Bulldogs.
 
"Jared was really good today," Dunn said. "The biggest thing for him was he only walked one guy. That's what has cost him some longer outings this year, and for him to go five innings was huge. Alex did a really nice job for us. You have to be pleased with what he did, giving us seven strong."
 
In the first game, Samford jumped out to a commanding 6-1 lead in the first three innings. The Bulldogs plated two runs in the first inning and four more in the third inning. The four runs in the third inning were scored on Quinn's grand slam to center field.
 
Samford also scored two runs in the fourth inning, one each in the fifth and sixth innings, and three final runs in the seventh inning to pull away for the 13-8 win.
 
In the second game, the teams entered the ninth inning with Samford leading, 8-4. Elon plated four unearned runs off of Gracia in the top of the ninth to knot the score at 8-8. In the bottom of the ninth inning, with two outs, Caleb Bryson walked and then advanced to second base on a passed ball. Jordan Wren then pinch ran for Bryson. Wren then advanced to third base on a passed ball, and Elon catcher Chris Hall's throw to third base sailed into left field, allowing Wren to score and giving Samford the 9-8 win.
 
Samford plated a run in the first inning, three runs in the third inning, and two more in the fifth to take a 6-1 lead over Elon. Elon came back with three runs in the seventh inning to cut the lead to 6-4. Samford answered with two runs in the bottom of the eighth inning to make the score 8-4. Elon then came back with four runs in the top of the ninth, setting the stage for the bottom of the ninth inning.
 
Elon was led in game one by Tucker Norton, going 2-for-4 with a home run and four RBI. Quinn Bower went 2-for-5 in game one. In the second game, Chris King went 2-for-4 with a home run and two RBI. Ryan Cooper and Tyler McVicar also homered in game two for Elon.
 
Michael Elefante (5-1) pitched 3.2 innings, giving up eight runs on eight hits to take the loss in game one. Ryan Pennell (1-1) tossed 1.1 innings in relief, giving up one run on one hit to take the loss on game two.
 
Samford will return to action on Wednesday, April 9, when the Bulldogs travel to Montgomery, Ala., to play at Alabama State. The game is scheduled for a 6 p.m. start.