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BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- The Samford University baseball team registered 14 hits Friday, including a perfect 4-for-4 outing at the plate from junior Troy Dixon as the Bulldogs topped the VMI Keydets, 10-6, to win the Southern Conference series and to clinch the No. 2 seed in next week's SoCon Tournament.
 
Samford (32-23, 16-7 SoCon) received multi-hit performances from Brooks Carlson, Anthony Mulrine, Connor Burns and Dixon in the victory. The Bulldogs' Dixon reached base all five times in the contest. He opened the game with a walk and then tallied four straight singles. Dixon also scored a season-high four times in the win.
 
Carlson finished 2-for-3 with a pair of runs, while Mulrine and Burns both turned in 2-for-4 outings. Mulrine led the team with three RBI as Burns drove in a pair of scores.
 
The Bulldogs' Ayrton Schafer, Max Pinto, Ryan Crockett and Taylor Garris all added key base hits in the victory.
 
Samford rallied for three huge runs in the second inning to take a 4-1 advantage over VMI (25-25, 11-12 SoCon). Then, after the Keydets rallied to score three runs of their own in the top of the eighth inning to trim the Bulldogs' lead to 7-6, Samford bounced right back and added a 3-spot to garner a decisive 10-6 advantage.
 
The Bulldogs' Erin Baldwin started the game and only allowed two runs in four innings of action, while Hamp Skinner (5-2) entered in the fifth inning and earned the victory. Samford's talented sophomore left-hander threw two full frames and only allowed one run on one hit.
 
Wyatt Burns entered the game in the seventh inning and completed the three-inning save. He tallied a trio of strikeouts on the evening and picked up his 10^th save of the season. He is also Samford's all-time leader in the category with 30.
 
VMI's Zak Kent (5-5) started on the mound and was issued the loss. He allowed six runs on seven hits in four innings of action. The Keydets' Matt Pita shined at the plate with a 3-for-4 outing with two home runs and three RBI. He also homered in Thursday's matchup.
 
Samford will attempt to earn the three-game SoCon sweep Saturday at noon (CT) on Senior Day. Fans are encourage to arrive early for the Senior Day festivities as the Bulldogs' annual ceremony is slated to begin at 11:40 a.m.
 
SENIOR DAY PRESENTATION
Samford will be honoring 11 seniors this season. The Bulldogs' 2018 senior class consists of the following:  Baldwin, Wyatt Burns, Austin Edens, Jake Greer, Matthew "Howie" Howington, Do Jin, Caleb Maggio, Greg Mula, Josh Rich, Cody Shelton and Tristan Widra.
 
WHAT'S COMING UP NEXT?
Following Saturday's series finale against VMI, the Samford University baseball team will next be in action Wednesday, May 23, at 3 p.m. (CT) as the Bulldogs begin play in the SoCon Tournament to be held at Fluor Field in Greenville, South Carolina.
 
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.

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