JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. – In a 12-0 victory on Sunday, May 1, the Samford University softball team worked to earn a 2-1 series victory over ETSU at Betty Basler Field. Redshirt senior Mollie Hanson (19-8) pitched a complete-game two-hit shutout to improve to 10-1 in SoCon play.

The Bulldogs (34-18, 12-3 SoCon) offense exploded for 12 runs on 14 total hits to capture the series over the Bucs (18-18, 7-8 SoCon). The big inning came in the top of the 3^rd when Samford banged out six runs to take a commanding 7-0 lead in the game.

Samford scored its initial run of the contest in the 2^nd inning off of a Caroline Wilder single to center field that scored catcher Abby Sweeney.

In the 3^rd inning the Bulldogs strung together seven base hits which was highlighted by junior Abbie Miranda's double to left center field that cleared the bases for a pair of RBIs. Afterwards, another pair of singles by Kelsey Royalty and Wilder scored Miranda while also setting up sophomore Lexie Higgins for her bases clearing double. Senior Megan Dowdy drove in Higgins with a double of her own to right center.

Behind Hanson's stellar pitching performance the Bulldogs offense continued to roll on with four more runs in the 4^th inning. Senior Callie Brister started the inning with a single up the middle and Caitlin Bice followed with a walk to put runners on first and second. With one out Miranda hit into a fielder's choice at short which the speedy Brister beat the throw to third to load the bases.

A pair of RBI singles from Royalty and Wilder extended the Bulldogs lead while maintaining a bases loaded situation in which Higgins drew and RBI walk. Shelby Maze capped off the inning with an RBI single to right field to bring the score to 11-0 Samford.

Samford capped of its scoring efforts in the 5^th with a pair of doubles from Bice and Miranda. Bice led off the inning with a double to left center field while Miranda's RBI double to right center pushed the Bulldogs out to a 12-0 lead.

Hanson faced a total of 17 batters and threw just 82 pitches in the solid effort while also recording seven strikeouts to just two walks.

The Bulldogs will return home to face UNCG who is now in sole possession of second-place in the SoCon standings after having swept Chattanooga at home this past weekend. Game time for Saturday's doubleheader is scheduled for 1 p.m. CST and will be broadcast on the SoCon Digital Network.