BOX SCORE (PDF)

JACKSONVILLE, Ala. – The Samford softball team dropped a hard-fought pitcher's duel at in-state rival Jacksonville State, falling by a score of 3-2 Wednesday evening at University Field.
 
Junior Madison Couch and freshman Ryan Brzozoski drove in a run each for Samford in the loss. Brzozoski and fellow freshman Mekhi Mayfield had one hit each for the Bulldogs.
 
Freshman McKenna Gillespie (0-2) took the loss in the circle for Samford, tossing 4.1 innings giving up three runs, just two earned, on five hits. Junior Annalyn Yantis pitched the final 1.2 innings without allowing a hit.
 
Jacksonville State was led by Taylor Beshears, going 2-for-3 with a home run and two RBI. Anna Chisolm also homered, driving in one run, going 1-for-2 at the plate. Faith Sims (3-0) pitched the complete 7.0 innings, giving up two runs on two hits to earn the win for the Gamecocks.
 
JSU jumped on top first with one run in the bottom of the first inning. Hannahstaysia Weaver scored when Beshears reached base on an infield single for a 1-0 Gamecock lead.
 
Samford came back to take the lead with two runs in the top of the fourth inning. Lexie Higgins, Whitney Hinton and Shelby Maze all walked to load the bases with one out. Brzozoski was then hit by a pitch, sending Higgins home to knot the score at 1-1. Hinton then scored on a sacrifice fly by Couch, giving the Bulldogs a 2-1 lead.
 
JSU tied the score with a run in the bottom of the fourth inning. With one out, Chisolm homered to center field to make the score 2-2. In the fifth inning, JSU's Beshears homered to right field to make the score 3-2.
 
With the loss, Samford falls to 0-5 on the season. Jacksonville State improves to 4-2 with the win.
 
Samford will return to action Friday when the Bulldogs open the Red and Black Tournament by taking on the host, Georgia at 4:30 p.m. (CT).