BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – SoCon play continues for the Samford softball team with the Bulldogs hosting the Mocs of Chattanooga for an upcoming weekend series. Competition will kick off on Saturday, April 23 with a doubleheader starting at 1 p.m. prior to a Sunday single-game on April 24 at 1 p.m. once again at the Samford Softball Stadium. Samford will also be celebrating four seniors before the first pitch on Saturday including, Amanda Briskin, Timberlyn Shurbutt, Kolby Holcombe, and Mary Katherine Tedder.
 
The Bulldogs are currently ranked second in the Southern Conference with an overall record of 8-1, while the UNCG Spartans take the top spot after remaining undefeated on their season. Samford returns to Birmingham after locking in a 2-1 series win over Furman this past weekend in Greenville, finding 5-4 and 8-0 wins over the Paladins before dropping a 1-0 decision in game three. The Bulldogs tallied 13 runs on 23 hits with three being doubles and one a triple from freshman McKayla Cothran. With the two wins and loss, Samford now sits at 23-15 on its season.
 
Chattanooga enters the weekend with an overall record of 21-20, 5-4 (SoCon) after suffering five-straight losses. The Mocs most recently dropped back-to-back midweek contests with a 5-3 loss to Tennessee Tech before falling to SEC opponent Auburn, 7-3, in the Plains. Within the league, UTC has captured two series wins while being swept by the Spartans last weekend at the UNCG Softball Stadium. Chattanooga is led offensively by junior Emily Coltharp who currently holds a team-high .382 batting average after firing off 50 hits in 131 at-bats. The Georgia native has recorded 20 runs, five doubles, two triples, and 14 RBIs.
 
BY THE NUMBERS:
 
After 38 contests, Samford is hitting .275 as a team with 20 home runs, 161 runs scored on 285 hits and 140 RBIs. The team is slugging .381, holds a .343 on-base clip and has swiped 35 bases on 43 attempts.
 
COVERAGE:
 
This weekend's action will be available to watch on ESPN+, while fans can also follow along via live stats. Coverage links are available on the Samford softball schedule page, https://samfordsports.com/sports/softball/schedule.
 
SERIES HISTORY:

• Samford and Chattanooga have competed 58 times with the Mocs holding a dominant 41-17 series advantage over the Bulldogs. Last season, UTC secured a 2-1 series win over Samford with 4-3 and 6-3 victories at Frost Stadium in Tennessee.

 
BULLDOGS TO WATCH:

• Senior Amanda Briskin has started in 36 games for the Bulldogs, logging 28 hits in 121 at-bats while driving in five runs for Samford. The Alpharetta, Ga., native also holds a team-high nine stolen bags on 12 attempts, tying for seventh in the SoCon with Riley Nayadley from ETSU. Defensively, Briskin has held down centerfield with 51 putouts and two assists.
• Freshman Jordyn Partain earned SoCon Pitcher of the Week honors for her performance in the circle against Furman, allowing just one run on six hits while striking out seven batters at the plate. Partain has accumulated 14 starts and 20 appearances on the season, throwing seven complete games for a total of 45 strikeouts in her 83.2 innings of work.

 
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).