GULF SHORES, Ala. – The Samford University softball team opened the 2016 season with a pair of hard fought games that resulted in a split at the Sand Dollar Classic against Central Arkansas University and Lipscomb University on Friday, Feb. 12.

"It was a good finish to a rocky day." Head Coach Mandy Burford continued. "There was a lot of first game jitters in our at-bats but the pitchers threw well and our defense was solid all day."

The Bulldogs (1-1) battled for 15 complete innings throughout the day as the team fell short in their season opener 2-1 to the Bears from Central Arkansas (2-0) but then rebounded in dramatic fashion to defeat the Bison of Lipscomb 3-2 via a walk-off two RBI base hit from senior Caitlin Bice.

"It was a clutch eighth inning, down by two with the top of the order up." Burford continued. "Bice worked a 3-2 count with two outs and she had a great at-bat to make something happen and score both runs."

Jessica Stone opened up the season for Samford in the circle against the Bears and pitched five-complete innings against the reigning Southland Conference champions before conceding the first run of the contest.

UCA's Hannah Stirton broke open the scoreless game with a solo home run off of Stone to give the Bears the initial lead of the game. Samford battled back tie the game in the top of the sixth inning when Caroline Wilder reached base on a throwing error by the pitcher Kayla Gomness that allowed Abbie Miranda to score from third.

Miranda reached bases with a one out triple to right field earlier in the inning.

Junior Rebecca Leonard (0-1) relieved Stone the following inning and accounted for one inning of work before she allowed the Bears to capitalize with a bases loaded walk in the bottom of the seventh to win the contest 2-1.

Samford bounced back against in a thrilling contest against the Lady Bison (0-1) with redshirt-senior Mollie Hanson (1-0) in the circle for the first time of the season.

Destinee Brewer put Lipscomb out on top 2-0 in the top of the eighth inning with a two-run home run off of Hanson. Hanson dealt a remarkable game as she scattered five hits over eight innings of work and recorded five strikeouts with no walks allowed.

Sophomore Shelby Maze had the most productive date at the plate for the Bulldogs as she finished the day 4-of-8 with a double and run scored.

Samford returns back to action at the Sand Dollar Classic tomorrow when the team faces off against Houston Baptist at 3 p.m. and the No. 11 Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns at 6 p.m. (CST).