Box Score
Updated Stats

GREENSBORO, N.C. -- The Samford University baseball team was limited to two runs on four hits Friday as the Bulldogs dropped a 10-2 decision against the first-place UNCG Spartans in the opening meeting of a three-game Southern Conference series being held at the UNCG Baseball Stadium.
 
"That was just a good old-fashioned tail-kicking tonight, unfortunately," said Samford head coach Casey Dunn. "We didn't do a whole lot well and they did a good job. Their starting pitcher, Hunter Smith, stuffed us and for seven innings and he did whatever he wanted to. Offensively, they only threw up three zeroes in eight innings and just chipped away at us all night. That's was just a tail-kicking. Hopefully, we can put this one behind us and get ready to play better tomorrow."
 
With the impending threat of rainstorms rolling through the area Sunday, both teams agreed to play a doubleheader Saturday beginning at noon (CDT).
 
Samford (24-19, 6-7 SoCon) scored both of its runs in the bottom of the ninth inning to avoid its first shutout of the 2016 campaign.
 
Troy Dixon opened the frame by drawing a walk and then advance to second base when senior Damon Waller singled to left field. The Bulldogs' Anthony Gonzalez then walked to load the bases before Grant Colton was hit by a pitch to score a run and to tally an RBI.
 
Next up, Samford's Greg Mula powered a deep drive in the gap to center field, but the Spartans' Ryne Sigmon made a diving catch for the out. On the play, the Bulldogs' Waller scored to make the final score of the game 10-2.
 
"I thought our young guys looked good there at the end of the game," Dunn said. "Troy really had a great at-bat and Jordan Fucci hit the ball well. Greg Mula hammered a ball and Grant did a really good job of hanging tight with two strikes on him. We did some good things and it was good to see those guys compete. When you get your opportunity, you have to make it count."
 
UNCG (33-11, 11-2 SoCon) rattled off 15 hits Friday and led 4-0 heading into the sixth inning of play. The Spartans then pulled away in the game by scoring two runs in the seventh and then four more in the bottom of the eighth.
 
L.J. Kalawaia paced UNCG with a 4-for-5 outing at the plate, while scoring three runs and driving in two more. Collin Woody hit his ninth home run of the season Friday as he tallied four RBI and finished 2-for-5 at the dish. The Spartans' Dillon Stewart, Devin Ruiz and Jake Kusz all registered two-hit performances in the matchup.
 
Samford's base hits came from Hunter Swilling, who notched his 18^th double of the season, Alex Lee, Jared Watson and Waller.
 
The Bulldogs' Stephen Jones (3-1) earned the Friday night start and suffered the first loss of his bright, up-and-coming collegiate career. He allowed three earned runs on five hits and hurled four full innings of action. Samford's Jake Greer and Cody Shelton also spent time on the mound as well.
 
UNCG's Hunter Smith (6-1) only allowed two hits and three walks in seven innings on the bump. He finished with six strikeouts and improved his earned-run average on the season to 4.50.
 
For quick score updates, breaking news and links to all of your favorite articles featuring the Bulldogs, please follow @SamfordBaseball and @Samford_Sports on Twitter.

Box Score
Updated Stats