BOX SCORE: GAME ONE (PDF)
BOX SCORE: GAME TWO (PDF)
 
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. –  On Sunday afternoon, the Samford softball team got hits from eight different Bulldogs and strong pitching performances from freshmen Jordyn Partain and McKenzie Newcomb in sweeping another doubleheader from Kennesaw State, 1-0 and 6-1, at the Samford Softball Field.
 
GAME 1
Final: Kennesaw State 0 | Samford 1  
 
With freshman pitcher Jordyn Partain limiting Kennesaw State to just two hits in each of the first three innings, Samford's offense came alive in the bottom third with junior Merritt Cahoon lacing one to left center to plate senior Timberlyn Shurbutt for an RBI double and a 1-0 advantage.
 
For the next three innings, Partain continued to shut down the Owls at the plate, limiting Kennesaw State to one hit heading into the bottom of the sixth. Fellow freshman McKenzie Newcomb would enter the circle in the top of the seventh to close for Samford. Newcomb retired three-straight batters to strike out the side for a 1-0 Samford victory, while Partain earned the win for the Bulldogs, improving to 2-1 on the season.
 
Merritt Cahoon went 1-for-3 at the plate, recording her third RBI and second double on the season, while freshman Sarah Squillace and senior Kolby Holcombe both went 2-for-3 for a combined four hits out of Samford's eight.
 
GAME 2
Final: Kennesaw State 1 | Samford 6
 
It didn't take long for the Bulldogs to strike in game two with senior Timberlyn Shurbutt going yard for her second home run on the season. The Alexandria, Ala. native sent one over the center field fence, scoring fellow teammates Mary Katherine Tedder and Sarah Squillace for a quick 3-0 lead.
 
In the bottom of the next inning, Samford added another run to the board after Tedder doubled down the left line on a 1-2 count to plate Squillace on second. The very next play, Timberlyn Shurbutt returned to the plate and smacked her second home run of the day, bringing home Tedder for a 6-0 advantage heading into the third. 
 
Defensively, the Bulldogs held Kennesaw State scoreless for the next four innings with Newcomb allowing no hits and striking out three batters at the plate. Kennesaw State would find one run in the top of the seventh, but it would not be enough to kickstart a late comeback, giving Samford a 6-1 victory for an overall record of 7-2.
 
Timberlyn Shurbutt proved to be an offensive standout for the Bulldogs, totaling four hits, three runs, and five RBIs in seven at bats throughout both games. The senior tallied two home runs for a total of three this season and 17 in her Samford career. In the circle, freshman pitcher McKenzie Newcomb threw her fifth complete game for the Bulldogs, earning her fourth win after allowing just one run on four hits and retiring seven batters.

HIGHLIGHTS:




 
UP NEXT:
The Samford softball team will host the annual Bulldog Classic this coming weekend with the Bulldogs kicking it off with a 10 a.m. matchup against Boston College at the Samford Softball Field.
 
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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).