BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Samford University softball team gears up for a mid-week matchup against in-state foe No.4/2 University of Alabama Tuesday, March 8, at 7:30 p.m. (CST). The contest will be televised on the SEC Network live from Rhoads Stadium.
The Bulldogs (11-7) will square off against the Crimson Tide (20-2) for the 23
rd time in what will also be the second nationally ranked opponent of the season.
In the history books it is recorded that Samford has defeated Alabama only twice and the pair of victories came on the same day in March of 1997. The Bulldogs won by the scores of 5-1 & 8-6 in what was the first two meetings between the two programs. Since then Alabama has reeled off 20-straight victories.
Samford enters as one of the nation's best defensive teams as the squad ranks 24
th overall in fielding percentage (0.976) and 26
th nationally in earned run average (1.99) and will need to play to form to have success against Alabama.
Redshirt senior pitcher
Mollie Hanson made history for the Bulldogs this past week as she went 3-0 with wins against UAB & Jacksonville State. Hanson earned her 55
th career victory over Jacksonville State to become the program's all-time leader in wins on March 5.
The Dothan, Alabama native extended her win total to 56 after defeating the Gamecocks in a rubber match on Sunday, March 6, to take the series 2-1.
Alabama boasts a hard hitting lineup as four batters have a .400 average at the plate or higher. Haylie McCleney paces the stout offense with an even .500 average at the plate with 20 hits that includes, four doubles, three triples and one home run.
Peyton Grantham, Leona Lafaele and Demi Turner are the leaders for the team in RBIs as each has 21 or more on the season. Grantham leads the team with 28 total through 22 games.
Offensively the Bulldogs are led by
Callie Brister who sports a team-leading .393 average at the plate along with 22 runs scored and13 RBIs. Freshman
Hannah Trombley leads the team in RBIs just ahead of Brister with 19 total and also paces the team with six home runs.
Fans can also keep up with the Bulldogs on Twitter by following @SamfordSB.
