BOX SCORE (PDF)

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Samford baseball team opened its weekend series with Toledo with a 9-4 victory over the Rockets Friday afternoon at Joe Lee Griffin Field.
 
THE BASICS
FINAL:   Samford 9 | Toledo 4
Date/Time: Fri., March 5 | Start 4:02 p.m. | TOG: 3:06
Location: Joe Lee Griffin Field (Birmingham, Ala.)
Records: Samford (5-4) | Toledo (0-7)
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• After Toledo scored an unearned run in the top of the first inning, Samford came back with five runs in the bottom of the inning. Sonny DiChiara singled to drive in Davis Schwartz for the first run. Tyler McManus then hit a two-run home run for a 3-1 Samford lead. Kaden Dreier then singled to drive in Towns King, and Ayrton Schafer scored when Ryan Crockett reached on a fielder's choice to make the score 5-1.
• Samford added two runs in the third inning to push the lead to 7-1. Schafer singled to drive in King for the first run of the inning. Crockett later doubled to drive in Schafer for a six-run Samford lead.
• Samford plated another run in the sixth inning when Taylor Garris scored on a sacrifice fly by DiChiara for an 8-1 Samford lead.
• Toledo's Chris Myers hit a two-run home run in the top of the seventh inning to cut the lead to 8-3.
• In the bottom of the seventh, Crockett singled up the middle to drive in Max Pinto for a 9-3 Samford lead.
• Toledo added one final run in the top of the eighth inning to make the final score 9-4.

 
ON THE MOUND

• Samuel Strickland (2-1) pitched 6.0 innings, giving up one unearned run on six hits to earn the win for the Bulldogs. Strickland struck out nine batters, while allowing just two walks.
• For Toledo, Kyle Jones (0-1) tossed 4.0 innings, allowing seven runs on eight hits to take the loss for the Rockets.

 
NOTABLES 

• Samford was led at the plate by Ryan Crockett, going 2-for-4 with three RBI.
• Tyler McManus hit a two-run homer, going 1-for-4 at the plate.
• Sonny DiChiara also drove in two runs in a 1-for-4 performance.
• Towns King went 2-for-3 for the Bulldogs.
• Toledo was led by Chris Myers, going 3-for-5 with a home run and two RBI.

 
UP NEXT 

• Samford and Toledo will continue their series with a game Saturday afternoon. The game is set for a 2 p.m. start from Joe Lee Griffin Field.

 
FOLLOW THE BULLDOGS:
For the latest news and information on Samford baseball, visit the official website for Samford Athletics at SamfordSports.com. Fans can also follow the Bulldogs on social media at /SamfordBaseball (Facebook), @SamfordBaseball (Instagram) and @SamfordBaseball (Twitter).