JACKSONVILLE, Ala. – The Samford softball team split the final two games of the Jacksonville State Tournament topping UTSA, 10-4 in the morning matchup, before falling to Jacksonville State, 3-2 in the afternoon.
 
THE BASICS
Game 1
FINAL:   Samford 10 | UTSA 4
Date/Time: Sat., Feb. 29 | Start: 10 a.m.
Location: Jacksonville, Ala.
Records: Bulldogs (8-10) | UTSA (11-7)
Series:  Series tied 1-1
 
Game 2
FINAL:   Samford 2 | Jacksonville State 3
Date/Time: Sat., Feb. 29 | Start: 3 p.m.
Location: Jacksonville, Ala.
Records: Bulldogs (8-11) | JSU (10-7)
Series:  JSU leads, 42-21
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Bulldogs jumped out to an early four-run lead in the second inning.
• UTSA had a grand slam in the top of the fourth inning to tie the game.
• Three consecutive hits from Amanda Briskin, Mekhi Mayfield and Maddie Dorsett gave the Bulldogs a slim one-run lead.
• Timberlyn Shurbutt stepped to the plate with two runners on and sent a pitch sailing over the left-center field wall.
• The Bulldogs would add to their lead in the bottom of the sixth inning as Shurbutt hit her second home run of the game to lead the Bulldogs to a 10-4 win.
• In the second matchup, the Gamecocks had an early lead with a two-run spot in the first inning.
• The Bulldogs chipped away at the Gamecock lead scoring a run in the top of the third and tied the game in the top of the fifth.
• The Gamecocks put up the decisive run in the bottom of the fifth inning, as the Bulldogs dropped the final game of the Jacksonville State Tournament, 3-2.

 IN THE CIRCLE

• Abby Swaney (4-1) opened the day for Samford in the circle securing the win for the Bulldogs giving up four runs on four hits in 4.2 innings pitched.
• Taylor DeCelles held UTSA to one hit and no runs in her 2.1 innings of relief in the Bulldogs first game of the day.
• Madison Nelson (2-1) took the loss for the Roadrunners giving up six runs on six hits in 4.2 innings pitched.
• McKenna Gillespie got the start for the Bulldogs in game two giving up two runs on four hits in 0.1 innings pitched.
• DeCelles (1-5) took the loss for the Bulldogs giving up one run on four hits in 5.2 innings pitched.
• For the Gamecocks, Lexi Androlevich (3-1) got the win giving up two runs on seven hits in 7.0 innings pitched.

NOTABLES 

• Shurbutt's back-to-back home runs catapulted the Bulldog offense to a win against UTSA.
• Shurbutt's five RBI were a team high against the Roadrunners.
• Against the Gamecocks, Kathryn Jackson led Samford with a two-hit, two-RBI performance.

UP NEXT 

• Samford will return home to face Troy in a rescheduled midweek matchup Wednesday at 5 p.m.