Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 OXFORD, Miss. – The Samford University softball team dropped the first two games of the Ole Miss Classic to the Rebels, 3-0 and 8-0 (5), on Friday at the Ole Miss Softball Complex. The Bulldogs return to action on Saturday, as Samford faces Indiana State twice in the Ole Miss Classic    
 
BOX SCORE (PDF): GAME ONE 
BOX SCORE (PDF): GAME TWO

THE BASICS
 
GAME ONE
Final: Samford 0 | Ole Miss 3
Date/Time: Friday, Mar. 5 | 3:30 p.m.
Location: Ole Miss Softball Complex
Records: Samford (6-6) | Ole Miss (9-7)
 
HOW IT HAPPENED | GM1

• Sydney Gutierrez slapped a single through the right side to drive in Jessica Puk and Paige Smith, giving the Rebels a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the 3^rd.
• Abbey Latham scored on a throwing error in the bottom of the 6^th to give Ole Miss the 3-0 advantage.

 
IN THE CIRCLE | GM1:

• In game one, Emily Barnett (4-2) went the distance, tossing 6.0 innings while allowing three runs, two earned, on four hits with a pair of walks and three strikeouts.
• Savannah Diederich (4-4) picked up the complete game victory for the Rebels after striking out 11 batters while allowing three hits.  

 
NOTABLES:

• Ansley Yantis (1-for-3), Amanda Briskin (1-for-3), and Mekhi Mayfield (1-for-3) all collected hits for the Bulldogs.
• Gutierrez led the Rebels at the plate, going 1-for-3 with two RBIs.  

 
 
GAME TWO
Final: Samford 1 | Ole Miss 1
Date/Time: Friday, Mar. 5 | 6:00 p.m.
Location: Ole Miss Softball Complex  
Records: Samford (6-7) | Ole Miss (10-7)
 
HOW IT HAPPENED | GM2

• Ole Miss threatened in the bottom of the 1^st, but Timberlyn Shurbutt turned a double play off a hot shot to third to end the inning and preserve the 0-0 tie.
• After a walk to O'Neil Roberson, Samford had a chance in the top of the 2^nd inning but couldn't capitalize on the walk and a single by Kolby Holcombe.
• A trio of Samford errors helped the Rebels plate four runs in the bottom of the 2^nd to take a commanding 4-0 lead. Aynslie Furbush's three-run home run extended the lead to 7-0 at the end of the inning.
• In the bottom of the 3^rd, Tate Whitley's RBI single to center expanded the Rebels' lead to 8-0.  

 
IN THE CIRCLE:

• Abby Swaney (2-2) worked 4.0 innings while allowing eight runs, four earned, on seven hits in the loss. The freshman from Springville, Ala., walked three and struck out three in the start.
• Ava Tillmann (3-2) earned the win after throwing 5.0 innings of one hit softball with a walk and eight strikeouts.  

 
NOTABLES:

• Seven Rebels collected hits in the win.
• Holcombe finished with Samford's lone hit.

 
UP NEXT:

• The Samford softball team will continue with its time at the Ole Miss Tournament with a doubleheader against Indiana State on Saturday, Mar. 6. This first game is set to start at 9:30 a.m. followed by the second game at 12 p.m. at the Ole Miss Softball Complex.

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