BOX SCORE (PDF)
 
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Samford softball team fell to No. 13 Kentucky, 12-9, in final game of the weekend series on Saturday afternoon at the Samford Softball Field.
 
THE BASICS

Final: Samford 9 | Kentucky 12
Date/Time: Friday, Feb. 13| 1:01 p.m.
Location: Samford Softball Field
Records: Samford (0-3) |Kentucky (3-0)
Series: Kentucky leads the series 4-0


 
HOW IT HAPPENED:

• To start the game, Kentucky got on the board first with two runs from Miranda Stoddard and Renee Abernathy after Lauren Johnson singled to center field.
• Samford responded with three runs of its own to capture a slight one-run lead over the Wildcats. Ryan Brzozoski doubled through the left side to drive in Whitney Hinton and Ansley Yantis. That would be followed by a Kentucky error which allowed Ryan Brzozoski to score.
• Kentucky would add on two runs in the top of the second inning, but Samford would match the Wildcats with two runs of its own in the bottom of the second to keep the lead. Yantis would lock in her second run of the night after Ryan Brzozoski singled to center field and advanced to second off an error by Kentucky's center fielder. O'Neil Roberson then executed a sacrifice bunt to bring in Whitney Hinton for her second run of the night.
• Both teams would match runs again in the third inning with three runs each. Mekhi Mayfield hit her first home run of the night with Jordan Moore on second and Amanda Briskin on third to bring in the three runs for Samford.
• Kentucky would then take the lead in the top of the fourth with four runs, while shutting out Samford in the bottom of the inning. This would be followed by another run for the Wildcats in the top of the fifth to take a 12-8 lead.
• The final run of the game would come in the bottom of the fifth inning after Mekhi Mayfield slugged her second home run of the night for the Bulldogs. Both teams saw a scoreless sixth and seventh inning to finish out the game.

 
IN THE CIRCLE:

• Kentucky' Autumn Hume earned the win after 4.0 innings pitched, while Taylor DeCelles took the loss for Samford with 4.2 innings pitched. Decelles had two strikeouts and five runs on seven hits.
• Abby Swaney opened up for the Bulldogs once again, allowing four runs on three hits after 15 batters faced.  
• Emily Barnett pitched 0.1 innings for Samford, facing five at bats and allowing three runs on four hits.  

 
NOTABLES:

• Mekhi Mayfield had a solid night offensively with two homeruns and four RBIs. Mayfield also matched O'Neil Roberson with a team-high five putouts while recording one assist for the Bulldogs.
• After four at bats, Ryan Brzozoski earned one run on three hits and totaled two RBIs.
• Whitney Hinton and Ansley Yantis also contributed offensively for Samford with both players earning two runs on two hits.

 
UP NEXT:

• The Samford softball team will be back in action on Wednesday, Feb. 17 with a doubleheader against Alabama State starting at 4 p.m. at the Samford Softball Field.