BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Samford University softball team embarks on its second-straight trip in the past two seasons to Cullowhee, N.C. to take on Western Carolina University in a three-game Southern Conference series on April 11-12, at the Catamount Softball Complex.
The Bulldogs (27-14, 8-1 SoCon) and the Catamounts (16-23, 5-4 SoCon) have squared off every season since 2009 with Samford holding the all-time series with a slight edge 11-9. However, WCU has had SU's number during the regular season the past couple of years as the Catamounts have posted an 7-2 mark over the Bulldogs since 2012 and have won the past three series.
In 2014, Samford dropped the series against Western Carolina 2-1 (2-1, 0-3, 0-1) with the Catamounts limiting an explosive Bulldogs offense to just two runs through three games. Jordon Garrett limited SU to just eight hits and three walks with 17 strikeouts through 14 shutout innings of play. Garrett was named this week's SoCon Pitcher of the Week.
Junior
Megan Dowdy is now just one hit shy of tying her single-season record of 67 she set in 2014 and his now 18 hits away from tying the career-hits record of 190 set by Jessica Owens from 2006-09.
SoCon Player of the Week
Callie Brister will look to continue her hot hitting in the series against the Catamounts. Brister is currently riding a 10 game hit streak and is hitting .414 in Southern Conference play. The Tuscaloosa, Alabama native has hit five home runs and two doubles while plating 11 RBIs and nine runs scored in SoCon action.
Samford will need strong pitching efforts the entire weekend from whoever is called upon to enter the circle. The Bulldogs as a staff have recorded a team ERA of 2.67 on its way to an 8-1 start. Redshirt junior
Mollie Hanson was the workhorse the first two SoCon series as she recorded a 6-1 record while sophomores
Grey Adams and
Rebecca Leonard stepped up in the series sweep against ETSU to record a victory a piece.
Offensively as a team the Bulldogs have hit a total of 16 home runs through nine SoCon games with a team batting average of .323; both currently lead the SoCon. Western Carolina is right behind Samford with a .311 average with seven home runs but boast 14 doubles.
Fans can follow along with this weekend's live stats and live video through links found on SamfordSports.com or by following @SamfordSB on Twitter. First pitch for game one is scheduled for noon CDT.
