BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The Samford University softball team prepares to host its first SoCon series of the 2015 season as the team welcomes Furman University to the Samford Softball Field on Saturday, March 21, for a doubleheader that is set for 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.
The Bulldogs (18-10) are coming into this weekend's series after taking a pair of tough losses at home to Tennessee Tech University on Wednesday, March 18. The Bulldogs owned an 8-1 record going into the matchup but will now carry an 8-3 home record into this weekend's series against the Paladins.
In 2014, Samford went through the SoCon gauntlet and emerged to win every SoCon home series. The Bulldogs took series victories over UNCG (2-1), Appalachian State (3-0), Chattanooga (2-1) and Georgia Southern (2-1).
SU enters this weekend's matchup with an overall 14-21 record against FU and dropped a pair of games in 2014 to the Paladins the last time out. The third game of the series was called due to unfavorable playing conditions.
In game one of last year the Paladins shut out the Bulldogs on the way to a 4-0 win to open SoCon play and followed up to defeat Samford with a 5-1 victory during the final game in Greenville, S.C.
Samford scored its only run of the series on a sacrifice fly from
Abby Adams that scored
Abbie Miranda.
It will be a matchup of strengths as the Bulldogs offense ranks second in the SoCon in batting average, runs scored, hits, RBI, total bases and doubles while the Paladins will rely on its solid defense and pitching. FU currently ranks second in the SoCon in ERA, hits allowed, runs allowed, walks allowed, home runs allowed and opposing batting average.
Lindsey Bert leads the Paladins pitching staff with a 10-4 record on the year and a 2.38 ERA which ranks third amongst the SoCon's leaders.
The Bulldogs will have to rely on its steady offense and have support from its pitching staff for a complete three games to be successful on the weekend. Junior
Megan Dowdy looks to continue her consistent play at the plate as she comes in as having the SoCon's second best batting average (.431) and also ranks second in hits (44).
Dowdy enters the weekend with 15 multiple hit games on the season which is six more than any other Bulldog on the roster.
Freshman
Karsin Spinks is currently riding an 11 game reached base streak that dates all the way back to March 1, when Samford defeated the University of Connecticut at the Wilson/DeMarini Classic in Auburn, Ala.
You can keep up to date with everything Samford softball related this weekend via live stats on SamfordSports.com, live video courtesy of the SoCon Digital Network or through live updates on Twitter by following @SamfordSB.
