JACKSONVILLE, Ala. – It was a tough day at the ballpark for the Samford softball team, dropping a 6-4 decision to Austin Peay before falling 5-1 to the Gamecocks to close out the JSU Invite.

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

GAME 1
Final: Austin Peay 6 | Samford 4
 
Samford opened up the scoring in the bottom of the first, putting runners on first and second after two infield singles and a double to right center from Mary Katherine Tedder to plate freshman Sarah Squillace. The Bulldogs tallied on one more before heading into the second with Timberlyn Shurbutt earning a walk to load the bases and Gwynnie Hornibrook executing a sacrifice fly to score Amanda Briskin.
 
The early lead would not last long for Samford with Austin Peay responding in the top of the next inning, earning four runs in five hits for a two-run lead. The Governors shutdown the Bulldogs in the bottom half of the inning before extending their lead to 6-2 in the third after capitalizing off a Bulldog fielding error and Hodum putting up an RBI single.
 
Samford added a run to the board in the bottom of the third after freshman Grier Bruce battled at the plate, earning the third walk of the inning to plate Tedder. The next three innings would be scoreless for both teams until the bottom of the seventh with Lindsey Nelson singling out to right field to bring home Timberlyn Shurbutt with two out on the board. Unfortunately, that was as close as the Bulldogs could get as a fly out ended the contest.
 
GAME 2
Final: Samford 1 | Jacksonville State 5
 
An RBI double and a two-run home run for Jacksonville State kick-started game two in the bottom of the second for an early 3-0 Gamecock lead. The Bulldogs were unable to respond in the top of the next inning before Jacksonville State tacked on another two-run bomb with Megan Fortner sending it out of right center.
 
From there, the Gamecocks held Samford to just one run on two hits while they put up two hits of their own for a total of eight on the night. Right-handed pitcher McKenzie Newcomb threw her ninth complete game for the Bulldogs, receiving her sixth loss on the season after giving up five earned runs on eight hits after 29 batters faced.
 
UP NEXT:
The Samford softball team will head into its first weekend series of the season against Colgate. The Bulldogs will start with a doubleheader on Friday, Mar. 18 at 3 p.m. at the Samford Softball 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).