BOX SCORE: GAME ONE (PDF)
BOX SCORE: GAME TWO (PDF)
 
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – After a 4-3 defeat to open the series against Chattanooga, the Bulldogs pulled off the ultimate comeback win in game two with five runs in the top of the seventh to split the doubleheader on Saturday afternoon at Frost Field.
 
THE BASICS
 
GAME 1
Final: Samford 3 | Chattanooga 4
Date/Time: Saturday, May 8 | 12:00 p.m.
Location: Frost Field
Records: Samford (17-26, 6-10) | UTC (12-22, 7-7)
 
HOW IT HAPPENED | GM1

• The Bulldogs wasted no time getting on the board with two runs in the top of the first inning. Samford put itself in scoring position after Whitney Hinton hit a double to left center and then found her way to third base with Ryan Brzozoski beating out a throw for a single in the next play. With runners on the corners, Timberlyn Shurbutt stepped up to the plate and launched a ball to right center for another Bulldog double, allowing for fellow teammates Hinton and Brzozoski to make it back home for the early 2-0 lead.
• Chattanooga would make it a 2-1 game in the bottom half of the inning after Adison Keylon singled to right field to score Emily Coltharp on third. However, Samford would close out the inning and remain on top after Reagan Armour grounded out to second baseman Whitney Hinton to put the Bulldogs back at the plate.  
• Two innings later, the Mocs notched the game at 2-2 after Cameren Swafford smashed a ball over the right field fence for her fourth home run of the season with two outs on the board. Samford would make its way out of the inning in the next play as Chattanooga's Kailey Snell grounded out to Ansley Yantis at shortstop.
• Kathryn Jackson reclaimed the lead for the Bulldogs in the top of the fifth with a single through the right side of the diamond to drive in Timerblyn Shurbutt. The Bulldogs would then have a solid defensive performance in the bottom half of the inning with three-straight outs to push the game into the seventh.
• After being unable to further its lead in the top of the seventh, Samford ultimately found itself in a pressure situation in the bottom half of the inning with runners at first and second and two outs on the board for Chattanooga. Hayleigh Weissenbach was next up for the Mocs and in her third at bat of the day, smacked a ball to deep right center for the game-winning 2 RBI double for Chattanooga to take game one of the series.

 
GAME 2
Final: Samford 6 | Chattanooga 2
Date/Time: Saturday, May 8 | 2:30 p.m.
Location: Frost Field    
Records: Samford (18-26, 7-10) | UTC (12-23, 7-8)
 
HOW IT HAPPENED | GM2

• The Mocs struck first in the bottom of the third inning with Kailey Snell doubling down the left field line to score Gracey Kruse who doubled the play before to put herself in a scoring position. Chattanooga tagged on one more run to enhance their lead to 2-0 after Hayleigh Weissenbach singled to score Snell on third base before Samford closed out the inning.
• The Bulldogs would split the score in the top of the sixth with Amanda Briskin recording an RBI single after Chattanooga's third baseman was unable to field the ball cleanly for the Mocs. Samford then took the field and held Chattanooga scoreless with three-straight outs to put the Bulldogs back at the plate.
• Samford continued to push offensively in the top of the seventh and eventually tied the game at 2-2 after Merritt Cahoon singled through the left side to score Ryan Brzozoski. With the based loaded three plays later, the Bulldogs took their first lead of game with Ansley Yantis registering an RBI single. This would be followed by a single up the middle from Amanda Briskin to drive in Merritt Cahoon to double Samford's lead.
• The Bulldogs captured two more runs with Grace Robertson making it back home safe on a Chattanooga fielding error and Ryan Brzozoski locking in an RBI single with hit up straight up the middle. The Mocs closed out the inning with a strikeout but were unable to rally in the bottom half of the inning for a Bulldog win.

 
IN THE CIRCLE:

• Emily Barnett started in the circle for Samford, pitching a total of 11.1 innings on the day for the Bulldogs and earning her eighth win of the season in game two. Barnett struck out eight batters at the plate, while giving up four earned runs in 44 at bats.
• Taylor DeCelles entered the circle in relief for Samford in game two and threw 2.1 innings for the Bulldogs. The southpaw allowed two earned runs after 10 batters faced for her 12th loss of the season for an overall record of 4-12.  

 
NOTABLES:

• Timberlyn Shurbutt led the charge for Samford in game one with one run on two hits and two RBIs. The senior also recorded one assist and two putouts defensively at third base.
• In game two, Amanda Briskin was a key offensive factor for the Bulldogs with three hits in five at bats. The sophomore drove in two runs for Samford, getting the Bulldogs on the board in the top of the sixth and advancing Samford to a 4-2 lead in the top of the seventh.
• Ansley Yantis also played a big role in game two with the freshman kick-starting the late rally in the top of the seventh with an RBI single to give Samford its first lead of the game. Yantis now has a total of 15 runs on 23 hits, six doubles, one home run, and seven RBIs on the season. 

 
UP NEXT:

• The Samford softball team will close out the regular season and its weekend series against the Chattanooga Mocs with a single game of Sunday, May 9 at 1 p.m. at Frost Field.

 
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).