BOX SCORE (PDF)

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Samford softball team dropped a 10-2 decision to cross-town rival UAB Sunday evening in the final game of the Samford/UAB Classic at the Samford Softball Stadium.
 
In the loss for Samford, Abby Sweeney and Kelsey Royalty went 2-for-3 each at the plate. Hannah Trombley had the team's lone RBI in the game. Rebecca Leonard (0-3) pitched 2.2 inning, giving up four unearned runs on three hits to take the loss. The Samford defense committed three errors, and allowed seven unearned runs.
 
For UAB, Rachel Dunsford homered and drove in three runs in a 1-for-3 performance. Molli Garcia went 2-for-2 with three RBI, while Joanna Fallen went 2-for-4 for the Blazers. Megan Smith (2-1) pitched the full 7.0 innings giving up two runs, just one earned, on seven hits to earn the win for the Blazers.
 
UAB took an early lead with one run in the top of the second inning. In the third inning, the Blazers added three more runs, all on a home run by Dunsford, to take a 4-0 lead.
 
Samford came back with two runs in the bottom of the third inning to cut the UAB lead to 4-2. Lexie Higgins walked, and then Royalty reached base on an infield single to open the inning. Higgins and Royalty later scored when Trombley reached base on a UAB error.
 
The Blazers added to their lead with three runs in the top of the fifth inning to make the score 7-2. UAB then plated three final runs in the top of the seventh inning to make the final score 10-2.
 
With the loss, Samford falls to 4-11 on the season. UAB improves to 4-9 with the win.
 
Samford will return to action on Friday, March 3, when the Bulldogs open play in the Bulldog Slamboree, hosted by Mississippi State.