BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Samford University softball team concluded the 2016 regular season with a 3-2 victory over UNCG to complete the series sweep on Sunday, May 8, at the SU Softball Stadium. It was the third SoCon series sweep of the season.
Senior Day festivities were in full swing prior to the first-pitch of the series finale between the Bulldogs (37-18, 15-3 SoCon) and the Spartans (27-20, 9-9 SoCon) as six Samford seniors were recognized for their efforts and achievements.
All six seniors received the start on that which included right-handed pitcher
Mollie Hanson. Hanson however only threw six pitches allowing one hit which was a double to right center from Lindsay Thomas.
Junior
Grey Adams (4-2) relieved Hanson in the circle and limited UNCG to just one six hits and one run through seven-complete innings of work. One of those hits came in the first off the bat of Danielle Vega in the first inning which scored Thomas to give the Spartans an early 1-0 lead.
UNCG starter Alicia Bazonski (18-8) and Adams were then locked into a pitcher's duel for the majority of the contest. Bazonski six hits on the day while striking out three Samford batters and allowed only one walk.
The Samford offense finally broke through in the bottom of the 5
th inning of play and capitalized on a string of base hits. With two outs and
Lexie Higgins on first, senior
Megan Dowdy came through with a clutch double to left center field that scored Higgins from first.
With Dowdy on second, sophomore
Shelby Maze tapped a grounder out to shortstop which allowed her to speed down the line and beat out the hard throw from Rachel McClaskey. While all of this was going on Dowdy seized the moment and rounded third to beat out the throw home from first baseman Tory Wright.
Senior
Callie Brister capped off the three-run inning with a triple down the line in right field which allowed Maze to score the Bulldogs third run easily.
Adams who grew stronger as the game went on only surrender one run in the top of the seventh inning and shut the door on the would be UNCG comeback.
The Bulldogs clinched the No. 1 seed in the SoCon Championship Tournament and is schedule to play the winner of the No.4/No.5 seed game on Thursday, May 12, at 11:30 a.m. CST.