ROSEMONT, Illinois – The Samford University softball team took to the field for the first time of the 2015 season and churned out two exciting performances. The Bulldogs took down Miami University of Ohio 5-0 in the opening contest and then downed Central Michigan University 15-7 in a six inning thriller.

Junior Megan Dowdy stood out in her leadoff position from the plate going 6 of 8 with a pair of RBI, a run scored and a walk to highlight Samford's explosive offensive performances.

GAME 1 – Samford 5, Miami 0
The Bulldogs opened the season in grand fashion as the team posted five runs on nine hits to take the season opener against the RedHawks 5-0. Redshirt junior Mollie Hanson (1-0) and sophomore Grey Adams combined to toss a three-hit shutout from the circle.

Junior Megan Dowdy set the tone early with a base hit to third for the first hit of the 2015 season but the Samford offense fizzled in the inning to leave one runner stranded.

The bats came around in the third inning with a leadoff single from sophomore Abbie Miranda which was followed by another single from Dowdy. Freshman Shelby Maze drew a full-count walk to load the bases for Caroline Wilder.

Junior Caitlin Bice drove in the first run of the game on a single to center field with one out on the board. Samford scored two more runs to take a 3-0 lead when freshman Karsin Spinks reached on an error by the 'Hawks second baseman which allowed both Bice and Maze to cross home plate.

The Bulldogs added one run each in the top of the fourth and sixth innings to gain the final 5-0 decision. Junior Callie Brister nailed a home run over the left field wall in the fourth while pinch hitter Abby Sweeney pushed across sophomore Abbie Miranda on a four-pitch walk in the sixth.

GAME 2 – Samford 15, Central Michigan 7
The Samford offense kicked into high gear early in the second game of the evening as the team posted six quick runs in the first two innings of play to take a 6-0 lead over Central Michigan.

Senior Abby Adams and native of nearby Hobart, Indiana showed up at the plate in a big way with a laser double to deep left center to plate three RBIs.

The Bulldogs chased Rachael Knapp from the circle before the conclusion of the second inning and was replaced by Hanna Warren. Warren entered the game and put the brakes on the rolling Samford offense for three innings.

During that stretch the Chippewas gained momentum offensively and scored its first run of the game in the third on a Samford miscue in the field.

CMU continued its counter attack in the fourth and fifth innings to eventually take the lead 7-6.

The Samford defense rallied around sophomore pitcher Grey Adams (1-0) who stepped in for her second relief appearance of the night. Adams worked one and two thirds innings only to give up a walk to CMU over that span.

In the bottom of the sixth Samford hit its' stride offensively. Junior Caroline Wilder led off the inning with a walk to help set the stage for a pair of singles from junior Caitlin Bice and senior Abby Adams that loaded the bases.

Spinks tied the game at 7-7 with a well-placed hit through the right side and from there the team took control to reel off eight more runs on six hits.
Abby Adams racked up a four RBI performance to pace the team while going 3 of 4 from the plate with a run scored.

Samford tallied 16 hits and five walks with only one strikeout against the team.

The Bulldogs return to action tomorrow, Feb. 7, at 11:30 a.m. against Syracuse University before they take on Loyola (Chicago) at 2 p.m.