JACKSONVILLE, Ala. – After a 4-2 comeback win over Austin Peay to kick off the JSU Invite, the Samford softball team dropped a 4-1 decision to the Gamecocks Thursday afternoon at University Field.

BOX SCORE: GAME ONE (PDF)
BOX SCORE: GAME TWO (PDF)
 
GAME 1
Final: Samford 4 | Austin Peay 2
 
Samford's McKenzie Newcomb held the Governors to just a pair of runs in the win, throwing her eighth complete game for an overall record of 7-5 this season. The Meridianville, Ala., native retired five at the plate and allowed no walks after 28 batters faced.
 
Austin Peay claimed the early 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first after Bailey Shorter smacked a solo home run at the leadoff spot prior to a sacrifice fly from Lexi Osowski to plate Megan Hodum who tripled out of the number two whole. Newcomb eventually closed out the inning, striking out Mea Clark swinging on a 2-2 count.
 
In the top of third with only one out on the board, senior Timberlyn Shurbutt knotted the game at 2-2 with a single to center field to plate freshman Sarah Squillace, while fellow senior Amanda Briskin made it home off an Austin Peay error. It would be scoreless through the next three innings until Samford struck again in the top of the seventh after Mary Katherine Tedder registered a 2 RBI triple to score Briskin and Abigail Dorsett on second and third.
 
Austin Peay attempted to rally in the bottom half of the inning, leading off with a base hit from Kendyl Weinzapfel. However, Newcomb went on to close out the game, stranding one on base for the Governors after Bailey Shorter popped up to Tedder for her 39th putout on the season.
 
GAME 2
Final: Samford 1 | Jacksonville State 4
 
The scoring opened in the bottom of the first inning as the Gamecocks tacked on three runs in three hits. Jacksonville State was able to score on a two RBI single from Addie Robinson and sacrifice fly from Abbi Perkins for the early 3-0 lead over Samford.
 
After scoreless second and third innings, both teams would see themselves out of jams in the fourth with Samford unable to capitalize with bases loaded in the top half, while Jordyn Partain stranded three on base for the Jacksonville State to put the game into the top of the fifth.
 
The Bulldogs cut into the Gamecock's lead with their lone run of the game after a leadoff triple from freshman Kedzie Howe to start the frame. This would be followed by a ground out and fly out from Sarah Squillace and Amanda Briskin, respectively, but Mary Katherine Tedder followed with her second hit of the game and third of the day to drive in Howe.
 
Jacksonville State respond in the bottom half of the inning to extend its lead with Karsen Mosley executing a SAC bunt with only one out on the board to score pinch runner Keeli Bobbitt on third. Samford found two hits in the top of the sixth but was unable to poise itself for a comeback, leaving runners on first and second after Howe struck out swinging. This would be followed by three up, three down in the top of the seventh, allowing for a 4-1 Gamecock victory on their home turf at University Field.
 
Jordyn Partain found herself in and out of trouble throughout the seven innings, giving un three earned runs and four walks in her 6.0 innings of work. However, the freshman pitcher tallied two strikeouts while stranding a total of eight Gamecocks on base.
 
UP NEXT:
The Bulldogs will return to University Field for day two of the JSU Invite with a 12 p.m. first pitch against Austin Peay followed by one final contest at 5 p.m. against the Gamecocks.
 
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