BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Samford softball team blanked the Chattanooga Mocs, 3-0, before walking it off in thrilling fashion for a 3-2, nine inning victory to clinch the series Saturday afternoon at the Samford Softball Stadium.
 
BOX SCORE: GAME ONE (PDF)
BOX SCORE: GAME TWO (PDF)
 
GAME 1
Final: Chattanooga 0 | Samford 3
 
Freshman McKenzie Newcomb threw a complete game in the circle, striking out five batters and allowing just one walk and five hits to the Chattanooga lineup. Newcomb improved her overall record to 17-7 in her 20th start of the season with the Alabama native now totaling 130 strikeouts in 145.0 innings of work for Samford.
 
It would be back-to-back RBI doubles in the bottom of first to start things off for the Bulldogs in game one of the series. With freshman Sarah Squillace on second, senior Timberlyn Shurbutt ripped one out to center field on a 2-2 count to bring in the first run of the day, while junior Merritt Cahoon smacked her fifth double on the season to plate Shurbutt for the early 2-0 lead.
 
Samford extended its lead by one run in the bottom half of the next inning behind a UTC throwing error, allowing for senior Amanda Briskin to make it back home from third. Over the next five frames, neither team was able to plate a run despite Samford narrowly outhitting Chattanooga 5-to-4 and stranding five Mocs on base. In the top of the seventh, McKenzie Newcomb locked it down in the circle and forced a fly out and line out before striking out Gracey Kruse swinging for a 3-0 Bulldog victory.
 
GAME 2
Final: Chattanooga 2 | Samford 3
 
Freshman Sarah Squillace was the hero of the day with her RBI double walk off, but fellow freshman Jordyn Partain held it down in the circle with a season-high seven strikeouts. The Macon, Ga., native earned her sixth win for an overall record of 6-6, while allowing just two runs on five hits and one walk after 35 batters faced.
 
After three scoreless innings to open game two, Merritt Cahoon put the Bulldogs up 1-0 in the bottom of the fourth after the junior homered out of left field for a quick trip around the bases. Three plays later with only one out on the board, senior Kolby Holcombe executed a perfectly placed sacrifice fly to center field to score pinch runner Lindsey Nelson before Briskin grounded out to second to close out the inning.
 
The Mocs didn't stay quiet for long, cutting down the lead to one run in the top of the sixth after Olivia Lipari recorded an RBI single to score Kailey Snell, who tripled the previous play. Chattanooga continued with its offensive strike in the top of the seventh, knotting the game at 2-2 with a leadoff solo shot from Reagan Armour. The Bulldogs were unable to respond in the bottom half of the inning to push the game into the eighth frame where both teams went scoreless once again.
 
In the top of the ninth, Jordyn Partain struck out the side for the third time to put the dogs back at the plate. Senior Amanda Briskin drew a walk to start things off and advanced to second off a wild pitch from Chattanooga's Izzy Alley. Freshman standout, Sarah Squillace was next in the batting order and called game after registering an RBI double to walk it off for the second time this season and secure the series win over the Mocs.

HIGHLIGHTS:


 
UP NEXT:
The Samford softball team will close out its series against the Mocs of Chattanooga on Sunday, April 24 at 1 p.m. with a single game at the Samford Softball Stadium.
 
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).