MACON, Ga. – Timely hitting and a big fifth inning fueled by junior Abbie Miranda's grand slam secured Samford University softball's 10-3  victory and series sweep over Mercer University on Saturday, March 26, at Sikes Field. Miranda finished the day going 3 for 4 at the plate with four RBIs and a run scored.

"I think Miranda on paper and Miranda in person are two different people. She's one of the most competitive people that I have ever coached, reminds me a lot of myself - she never gives up and never backs down and you could tell that when the bases were loaded that she was going to get the big hit to break the game open." Head coach Mandy Burford said.

The Bulldogs (18-14, 3-0 SoCon) received an all-around solid pitching performance from starter Jessica Stone, redshirt senior Mollie Hanson (10-7) and freshman Annalyn Yantis. The trio limited the Bears offense to just three runs on five hits and four walks.

"I think we have a really strong staff but I think Mollie (Hanson) matched up really well with Mercer's hitters. Being able to keep the ball low in the zone, she was able to mix planes and with the two-complete games yesterday I just thought she got stronger as the games went on." Burford said. "Stone did a good job today hitting her spots but it just seemed like they were getting their timing down, which is why we made the change. Jess, Mollie and Annalyn all did great jobs today."

Stone pitched three and two thirds innings with four strikeouts and four walks while only giving up a pair of hits. Mercer capitalized in the bottom of the fourth inning on a two-run home run from Quirisa Mauga off of Stone to take a 2-1 lead and loaded the bases again which prompted Hanson's return to the circle for the third time in the series.

Hanson struck out Shaila Warren with the bases loaded to shut down the Mercer rally and get out of the jam.

The Mercer lead didn't last long as freshman Kelsey Royalty led off the top of the fifth inning with a double down the left line which sparked the big eight run inning for the Bulldogs. Dowdy reached on an infield single and Maze scored Royalty on an RBI push bunt between third and the pitcher to tie the game.

Samford regained the lead 3-2 on an RBI walk from Caitlin Bice. Bice's walk was her 27^th of the year.

With the bases loaded and a slim 3-2 lead, Miranda busted the seams on the ball and sent it over the wall in left center field on the first pitch she saw. The 7-2 lead gained the separation the Bulldogs needed to close out the series sweep.

Sophomore Lexie Higgins kept the big inning going for the Bulldogs as she crushed her fifth home run of the season and the third of the game for the Bulldogs with a two-run shot over the center field wall.

Samford capped off its scoring efforts in the top of the sixth when freshman Hannah Trombley crushed her second solo home run of the game and her ninth of the season to give the Bulldogs a 10-2 lead. The Dallas, Ga. native ripped a solo home run in the top of the second inning to give the squad the initial 1-0 lead.

"I'm proud of Hannah and Kelsey too as they both had a great day at the plate. Hannah had two more home runs and Kelsey went 3 for 3 in the nine hole, you can't ask for more than that." Burford ended.

Trombley finished the day going 3 for 4 with a pair of solo home runs while Royalty was a perfect 3 for 3 with a run scored.

The Bulldogs return to action on Tuesday, March 29, when the team travels to Oxford, Mississippi to take on Ole Miss at 6 p.m. on the SEC Network +.