BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – In front of a packed stadium the Samford University softball team dropped its 2015 home opener 7-1 to No.3 University of Alabama on Wednesday, Feb. 11.
The Bulldogs stood tall against the Crimson Tide in the first two innings as each team swapped hits and stranded runners in scoring position.

Samford's best chance early on came in the bottom of the second when junior Hannah Taylor ripped a ball into deep right center for a double and push freshman Karsin Spinks over to third with only one out.

Junior Callie Brister popped a ball up to Demi Turner for the second out but sophomore Abbie Miranda loaded the bases with a walk after drawing a full-count from Alabama starter Leslie Jury (2-0).

SU ended the inning with junior Megan Dowdy hitting a sharp grounder to Danae Hays at shortstop for the final out.

Alabama capitalized in the top of the third inning to plate four runs on three hits and a pair of Samford errors to take the initial lead of the game 4-0.

"We had a game plan going in aand I think our hitters at the plate really stuck to it in the first and second inning." Head coach Mandy Burford said. "We knew with a pitching staff like Alabama you can't fall behind, when you fall behind they're going to chase and they're going to get you."

"Their pitchers made the adjustment and we didn't; they started jamming us inside and we couldn't get our bats around on it."

The Crimson Tide scored two more runs in the fourth and one more in the fifth thanks to a solo home run from Marisa Runyon to bring the score to 7-0.

The Bulldogs showed signs of life in the bottom of the seventh when freshman Karsin Spinks railed a shot over the wall in right center field against UA's Sydney Littlejohn to close the margin down to 7-1.

With one out on the board Brister sent a shot of her own to the wall but wasn't able to send it quite over the tall fence in deep left field. The ball hit the top of the wall and Brister was credited with a single to keep the inning alive for Samford.

Littlejohn settled down and retired the next two Samford batters to secure the victory.

Redshirt junior Mollie Hanson (2-1) fended off the Crimson Tide and kept its batters off-balance for most of the game but UA found a way to produce runs at the end of the night.

Freshman Shelby Maze led the Bulldogs offense going 2 for 4 at the plate while Spinks, Taylor and Brister added a hit each in the game. Spinks' home run in the seventh was the first of her collegiate career.

"Both of them (Maze and Spinks) played quality travel ball at the highest level." Burford said. "They knew what to expect and they don't act like freshmen; they come into practice every day, ready to play and ready to win."

The Bulldogs continue play on Friday, Feb. 13, at home against Gardner Webb on the first day of the Samford Classic with first pitch slated for 2:30 p.m.