MOBILE, Ala. – The Samford University softball team downed SIU-Edwardsville 3-2 in the first game of the Mardi Gras Classic hosted by the University of South Alabama on Friday, Feb. 19.

Despite leaving 10 total runners on base, seven through the first three innings, the Bulldogs (3-3) rallied after being down 2-0 to the Cougars (2-4) to win 3-2. Hanson (2-1) pitched her way through a complete-game and limited SIUE to 7 hits and a pair of unearned runs.

The Bulldogs broke onto the scoreboard in the top of the fourth thanks to a lead-off home run from freshman catcher Hannah Trombley. It was the Dallas, Ga. native's natives first collegiate hit of the season and home run of her career.

Samford captured the lead the top of the very next inning thanks to a pair of back-to-back triples from Caroline Wilder and Caitlin Bice. Wilder scored Abbie Miranda after she reached on a lead-off single to second and eventually scored herself after Bice's RBI triple to right field to make the score 3-2.

The Cougars scored a pair of unearned runs in the bottom of the third inning to go up 2-0 in the contest due to a two-out throwing error by Lexie Higgins out at short. SIUE scored their second run after Lanphier stole home while Smiley was caught in a 2-4-3 rundown between second and first.

Wilder finished the game going 2-for-4 at the plate with an RBI and a run scored while freshman Kelsey Royalty laid down a pair of bunt singles to go 2-for-3 while batting in the nine hole. Caitlin Bice, Callie Brister and Miranda added a hit a piece to the effort.

Hanson pitched seven-complete innings and dealt five strikeouts compared to no walks through 28 batters faced in the effort.

The Bulldogs return to action tomorrow as the team faces Southern Mississippi at 9 a.m. then will turn around to face No. 23 South Alabama at 11:15 a.m.