MACON, Ga. – The Samford softball team opened up Southern Conference play in dominant fashion with back-to-back shutouts over Mercer University after capturing 6-0 and 8-0 victories Saturday afternoon at Sikes Field.
 
BOX SCORE: GAME ONE (PDF)
BOX SCORE: GAME TWO (PDF)
 
GAME 1
Final: Samford 6 | Mercer 0
 
After a scoreless first two innings, the bats came alive for Samford in the top of the third with the Bulldogs plating four runs. With bases loaded and only one out on the board, graduate transfer Mary Katherine Tedder laced one up the middle to score designated hitter Gwynnie Hornibrook for the first run on the day.
 
This was followed by a battle at the plate for senior Timberlyn Shurbutt, resulting in a bases-loaded walk to bring home freshman Sarah Squillace on third. The Bulldogs doubled their lead in the next play after capitalizing off a Mercer fielding error, allowing for Tedder and Amanda Briskin to cross home plate to put the score at 4-0.  
 
Samford continued to excel on both sides of the ball, adding two additional runs to the board while keeping the Bears scoreless through seven. In the top of the fifth, Timberlyn Shurbutt locked in a 6-0 Bulldog victory after smacking a two-run shot for a team-high six home runs on the season. Defensively, freshman pitcher McKenzie Newcomb led Samford in the circle, giving up just three hits in 7.0 innings of work, while collecting eight strikeouts after 24 batters faced. This marked the Meridianville, Ala., native's 13th complete game on the season for an overall record 12-7.
 
GAME 2
Final: Samford 8 | Mercer 0
 
In the final game of the day, things got started in the top of the third with the Bulldogs jumping out to a 2-0 lead after Mary Katherine Tedder launched a ball out of Sikes Field for a two-run home run, making it her fifth on the season. Mercer attempted to cut into Samford's lead in the next inning, but fell short after freshman pitcher Jordyn Partain registered back-to-back strikeouts to strand two on base.
 
It would be a quiet game for the next three innings until Samford made some noise in the top of seventh with six runs on one hit. The Bulldogs increased their lead to 4-0 after Timberlyn Shurbutt and Gwynnie Hornibrook both drew walks with the bases loaded to plate Briskin and Squillace, respectively. This would be followed by the play of the day after Kedzie Howe plated four runs with a grand slam out of right center to mark the freshman's first career home run.
 
Samford outhit its SoCon rival eight to four in game two and 15 to seven on the day. Four Bulldogs also registered multi-hit games in the two wins with Mary Katherine Tedder leading the way with three hits in five at bats. In the circle, freshman Jordyn Partain improved her overall record to 3-5 after throwing her fifth complete game this season. The Macon, Ga., native allowed no runs on four hits while striking out three Bears at the plate.
 
UP NEXT:
The Samford softball team will close out its series against the Bears of Mercer University on Sunday, April 3 at 12 p.m. with a single game at Sikes 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).