BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The Samford University softball team picked up a pair of quality SoCon victories against ETSU on Friday, April 3, at Samford Field. The Bulldogs clinched yet another SoCon home series with the doubleheader sweep over the Buccaneers and it makes it the sixth straight home series victory for the Bulldogs.

The Bulldogs (26-13, 7-1 SoCon) opened the series against the Buccaneers (12-21, 1-7 SoCon) with an offensive slugfest; both teams combined for a total of 13 runs and 18 hits in the contest.

SU rallied from behind in the bottom of the sixth inning to recapture the lead 7-6 on two out RBI single from junior Caitlin Bice that scored Shelby Maze from second base. Samford tied the game earlier in the inning when Shelby Maze stole second and forced a throw down from the catcher that allowed Megan Dowdy to advance home.

Redshirt junior Mollie Hanson started the game for the Bulldogs but it was sophomore Grey Adams who shut the door on the Bucs as she finished the final two and two thirds innings without giving up a hit to go along with five strikeouts and two walks. The Fairhope, Alabama native picked up the victory in the circle to improve to 7-3 on the season.

Offensively it was junior third baseman Callie Brister who did the most damage as she drew a bases loaded walk and a two run home run to account for her three RBI performance while going 1 for 2 at the plate. Maze and Caroline Wilder each went 2 for 4 in the game.

In game two it was another sensational pitching effort from a sophomore but this time it came from starter Rebecca Leonard (3-2). It was arguably Leonard's best outing of the season as she limited the high-powered ETSU offense to just one run over her complete-game effort.

The Chatsworth, Georgia native tossed six-straight scoreless innings before letting the Bucs cross home plate in the top of the seventh with two outs. She scattered five ETSU hits while she struck out a career-high seven batters compared to only four walks.

Brister, sophomore Abby Sweeny and sophomore Abbie Miranda each tallied 2 for 3 efforts in the final game of the day. Each had an RBI hit in the game but Miranda launched a clutch two run home run in the bottom of the fourth to put the game out of reach.

Junior Megan Dowdy inched two hits closer to breaking her own Samford career-hit record that she set at 67 just last season; Dowdy currently sits with 64 hits on the season which ranks first among all NCAA DI batters.

The Bulldogs look to close out the series against the Buccaneers tomorrow at 1 p.m. at the Samford Softball Field. Be sure to bring your Easter basket as there will be an Easter Egg Hunt following the conclusion of tomorrow's game.