BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Samford University softball team returns home to the Samford Softball Field for the first time of the 2015 season and will play host nearby No. 3 University of Alabama on Wednesday, Feb. 11, at 6 p.m.
 
The Bulldogs (4-1) return home after a successful opening weekend in Rosemont, Illinois at the Total Control Sports Invitational. SU faced quality competition and supplied the fans with thrilling action at the conclusion of three of its five games.
 
This week's competition only intensifies with having a top-five program like Alabama (6-0) coming onto campus but Samford head coach Mandy Burford expects her squad to maintain the same approach as the team had this past weekend.
 
"We will try to make tomorrow as much like every other day as possible." Burford said. "Alabama stays at the top of the polls, year in and year out, and we know that in order to compete with them we need to take care of what we can control and stay within our approach to the game."
 
Samford boasts a talented upperclassmen base but last weekend a pair of freshmen emerged to help solidify that foundation.
 
"We have some talented upperclassmen but freshman Shelby Maze and Karsin Spinks really showed out last weekend both defensively and at the plate." Burford mentioned.
 
Maze and Spinks combined for 14 hits, four doubles, a triple, seven runs scored and seven RBI over the weekend against solid completion. Burford believes that their solid play in the high school ranks is part of the reason to their early success.
 
"Maze and Spinks both preformed up to my expectations last weekend." Burford explained. "They come from high quality high school/travel ball organizations and they played against quality opponents, more importantly they faced quality pitching their junior and senior years in high school to prepare them to be successful at this level. I expect them to perform exactly the same tomorrow night: have quality at-bats and play solid defense." 
 
Samford will need all eighteen players to perform at their absolute best if they want to compete with this Alabama team tomorrow night.
 
"I don't know if you can ever gain an advantage over any team that is ranked nationally and in the top five every year." Burford said. "I do know that if we stick to our game plan: pitch effectively, play solid defense and have quality at-bats we can compete with any team."
 
Samford softball, as always, is free admission but please exercise caution when coming to and leaving the game on Wednesday night.  It is recommended to park in the south stadium parking lot located south of Joe Lee Griffin Field and if you are not able to acquire a seat in the stadium you can view the game from the parking deck located down the first base line.
 
"I'm excited for the matchup and look forward to a big crowd and atmosphere to welcome Coach Murphy and his team to Birmingham."