An ongoing series of a bi-weekly blog from the voice of Samford softball play-by-play announcer James Hardy.

If you could script a treacherous slate of games to play over a week, the past week of games against four ranked teams will go down as undoubtedly the most difficult stretch of games during the season for Samford University softball.
 
Out of the four ranked teams that the Bulldogs played, both No.3 Auburn and No.4 Alabama have the capability of making return trips to Oklahoma City for the Women's College World Series.
 
As far as Wednesday's contest against 3^rd-ranked Auburn, the Tigers were one of a select handful of teams if not the only team in the last three years that has thoroughly overwhelmed Samford on their home field.
 
After a game like Wednesday night, if you're a competitor, you want to return to the field to show what you're made of.
 
Samford returns to action Saturday as they travel to New York for the St. John's Invitational. The Bulldogs will play four games over the weekend with single games against Manhattan, Howard, Fairleigh Dickinson and St. John's. Unlike last week's Maverick Classic field, the St. John's Invitational field isn't as strong on paper with Samford's opponents combining for a 21-40 record.
 
St. John's is one opponent that stands out this weekend. The Red Storm made an NCAA Regional last season thanks to their dominant play in the Big East. Similar to their 9-12 start this season, St. John's struggled to begin 2015 before they turned it around with a 16-2 mark in Big East play.
 
For St. John's it's their first home weekend of the season after opening their home schedule Tuesday with a 6-1 win over Stony Brook.
 
Weather could play a factor this weekend for Samford and the rest of the field. After playing most of March under mild to warm temperatures, the forecast calls for chilly temperatures Saturday and Sunday with a chance of rain and snow Sunday. Unlike the season opening tournament in Chicago last season, the Bulldogs will not have the luxury of playing in a dome.
 
The cold weather will not just affect Samford but all of the teams in the field as all four Bulldogs opponents have played the majority of their games in warmer locales to escape the cold weather.
 
As far as keys to playing in cold weather, it's similar to playing games early in the season. Pitching and manufacturing runs will be key for Samford to win this weekend.
 
The Bulldogs return home for their final pre-conference tune-up against Kennesaw State in the next In the Circle.