QUEENS, New York – The Samford University softball team split in its opening day of competition at the St. John's Invitational with an 8-6 victory over Manhattan College and extra-inning 5-4 loss to host St. John's on March 19, at Red Storm Field.

The Bulldogs (13-13) used an all-around team effort to win the first game of the morning 8-6 over Manhattan as freshman Annalyn Yantis (1-0) earned her first career-win in her first collegiate start in the circle while redshirt senior Mollie Hanson (1) closed out the game for her first save of the season.

Samford jumped out in front early in the top of the first inning on the Jaspers and posted three runs, two of which came on a two RBI by junior Abbie Miranda. Manhattan starter Stephanie Kristo was charged with back-to-back illegal pitches shortly after to push Miranda across home play for the Bulldogs third run of the inning.

In the bottom of the second and third innings Manhattan rallied to tie the contest 3-3. In the second it was two-out triple by Kat Prevo that eventually turned into a run scored by the Jaspers thanks to a passed ball by the Bulldogs. A solo home run and sacrifice fly tied the game in the third frame.

Sophomore Shelby Maze gave Samford back the lead in the top of the fourth inning on a two RBI single up the middle of the Jaspers defense and Miranda notched RBIs three & four on a single to left field in the sixth inning.

With a 7-3 lead, sophomore Lexie Higgins blasted a solo home run to straight away center field to give Samford the extra run and an 8-3 cushion. The Jaspers rallied in the final frame of the game but fell short after being able to plate only three runs.

It turned out to be another nail bitter in Samford's second contest of the day against host St. John's. The Bulldogs fell behind early 1-0 as Krystal Puga broke the scoreless tie in the bottom of the second with a solo home run off of Samford starter Jessica Stone.

The Red Storm extended their lead to 3-0 in the fourth on a two-out two RBI double by Monique Landini.

With the game still well within reach, the Bulldogs stormed back to take the lead in the top of the fifth 4-3. The big inning was sparked by Miranda's leadoff solo home run to center field which was shortly followed by three consecutive base hits.

Samford plated the second run of the inning on a bases loaded infield fly that dropped between third base and the pitchers circle which allowed pinch runner Madison Couch to score from third.

Megan Dowdy capped off the inning with a two RBI single up the middle that scored Hannah Trombley and Lexie Higgins.

St. John's rallied in the bottom of the sixth to tie the game 4-4 which eventually sent the contest into extra innings where the Red Storm won via a game winning single up the middle.

In the first game of the day Madison Couch recorded her first-career hit which was scored as a double to right center field.

Dowdy was 4 for 8 on the day while Maze went 5 for 9 at the plate, each recorded a pair of RBIs. Miranda tallied five total RBIs after going 3 for 7.

Samford returns to action tomorrow to face the Howard Bison at 8 a.m. CST and the Fairleigh Dickinson Knights at 10 a.m. CST