Throughout this first week in March, the colors that can best signify the happenings across America are the colors red, white and blue.
 
The same could be said for a great weekend of softball for Samford University during the first home weekend of 2016.
 
While this week marks a crucial point for candidates to pick up votes and delegates, for college softball teams across the country, the transition into March is the point in the season where the focus turns to establishing roles and preparing for conference play.
 
While Southern Conference teams do not begin conference play for about another 3 weeks, Samford showed signs of their potential over the weekend in winning three of four games during the Samford Scramble.
 
The Bulldogs swept two games from Tennessee Tech while splitting two games with Wright State.
Outside of the Wright State loss Saturday, Samford played some of their best all-around softball of the season.
 
During Sunday's twin bill, Mandy Burford shook up the batting order by putting senior third baseman Callie Brister in the leadoff spot. It was a move that caught my attention before the start of Sunday's game against Wright State and it worked well. Brister set the tone for the Samford offense recording 3 hits, a home run, a double and 5 RBIs in the two Sunday games.
 
True freshman catcher Hannah Trombley took home SoCon Player of the Week honors for another stellar offensive showing. Trombley hit safely and drove home at least 1 RBI in every game during the Samford Invitational.
 
Trombley like the rest of her teammates took another step forward with solid all-around play in their three weekend wins.
 
They'll need another all-around performance as cross-town rival UAB makes the short drive to the Samford campus Wednesday. It's the first meeting for the two teams since 2012.
 
The Blazers come in to Wednesday's game 5-11 but have lost eight games to ranked teams through the first three weeks of the season.
 
The one player to keep your eye out on for this week's game is UAB senior Caitlin Attfield. Attfield was Conference USA's Player of the Year in 2015 and is UAB's all-time record holder in career hits.
 
The Blazers come off back-to-back 32-win seasons including an NCAA regional appearance in 2014. So despite a tough start, UAB will provide another good test for Samford.
 
I'll be on the call with first pitch from the Samford Softball Stadium at 6 PM and airtime on the SoCon Digital Network at 5:55 PM.