HATTIESBURG, Miss. – The Samford softball team dropped a 5-4 decision to North Alabama after a nine-inning battle before falling to the Billikens of Saint Louis, 8-1, in game two of the Black and Gold Invite Friday afternoon at the Southern Miss Softball Complex.

BOX SCORE: GAME ONE (PDF)
BOX SCORE: GAME TWO (PDF)

GAME 1
Final: North Alabama 5 | Samford 4   
 
After two scoreless innings, the Bulldogs found their way onto the board first with freshman Sarah Squillace crossing home plate off a North Alabama fielding error in the bottom of the third in her college debut.
 
The Lions continued to face a one-run deficit until the top of the sixth with Harley Stokes lacing a ball out to right center for a three-run home run. Samford responded quickly in the bottom half of the inning after senior Timberlyn Shurbutt sent it out of the park on a 2-0 count to put the Bulldogs within one. It marked the Alexandria, Ga. native's 21st career home run and 15th in her time at Samford.
 
Three plays later, sophomore Jordan Moore closed out the bottom of the seventh with a 2 RBI single, bringing home McKayla Cothran and pinch runner Lindsey Nelson for a slight 4-3 lead. However, the Lions knotted the game at four after Lexie Harper singled up through the right side to score fellow teammate Hailey Jones.
 
With the Bulldogs unable to answer, game one of the Black and Gold Invite headed into extra innings which would eventually come to a close in the ninth inning. North Alabama's Georgia Land registered her first RBI of the season, while pitcher Maci Birdyshaw shutdown Samford at the plate to give the Lions a 5-4 victory.
 
Freshman McKenzie Newcomb closed out her first career start with a 5-stikeout, complete-game performance against North Alabama's squad. Newcomb surrendered 10 hits to go along with four earned runs after 36 batters faced.
 
GAME 2
Final: Saint Louis 8 | Samford 1
 
Saint Louis jumped out to an early lead in game two with an RBI single from Allie Herron on a 3-2 count, bringing in Gabbie Kowalik home on second. The Billikens extended their lead with a two-run inning in the top of the third, plating their two runs off Samford errors.   
 
Natalie Sullivan of Saint Louis doubled to left field in the top of the fourth, bringing in Kelsey Etling to put the Billikens up 4-0. Another run would come for Saint Louis in the next inning with Kristi Stevenson smacking an RBI single to plate Sadie Wise who doubled to center field at the lead off spot. Samford's Mary Katherine Tedder got the Bulldogs on the scoresheet in the bottom of the fifth after she tripled to center field to score Amanda Briskin.
 
The Billikens continued to push offensively scoring three additional runs in the top of the sixth with an RBI double and a 2 RBI single. Samford was unable to bounce back in the bottom half of the inning, leading to an 8-1 win for Saint Louis.
 
FIU transfer Jordyn Partain pitched 5.1 innings for the Bulldogs, allowing six earned runs on nine hits. The freshman found three strikeouts in her time in the circle after 27 batters faced. She would be relieved by sophomore transfer Jordan Walters, throwing 1.2 innings for Samford and allowing two hits in six at-bats.
 
UP NEXT:
The Samford softball team will return for day two of the Black and Gold Invite, Feb. 12, where the Bulldogs will face Saint Louis once again at 10 a.m. and the Golden Eagles at 1 p.m. at the Southern 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).