BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Samford softball team blasted past Western Carolina for its second conference series win on Saturday afternoon at the Samford Softball Stadium with 5-0 and 8-4 victories over the Catamounts.
 
BOX SCORE: GAME ONE (PDF)
BOX SCORE: GAME TWO (PDF)
 
GAME 1
Final: Western Carolina 0 | Samford 5
 
Freshman McKenzie Newcomb pitched a stellar game for the Bulldogs, allowing no runs on just one hit in her 7.0 innings of work. Newcomb threw her 14th complete game for Samford, striking out five Catamounts at the plate with 22 batters faced. With the win, the Meridianville, Ala., native now sits at 23-17 on the season.
 
Samford came out firing with four runs on four hits in the bottom of the first with senior Mary Katherine Tedder kickstarting the offensive burst with an RBI double in the three-whole to plate freshman Sarah Squillace. Fellow senior Timberlyn Shurbutt kept the momentum going in the very next play, lacing one out to center field to plate Tedder prior to designated hitter Gwynnie Hornibrook smacking her third home run on the season for an early 4-0 advantage.
 
The Bulldogs increased their lead by one run in the bottom half on the next inning with Mary Katherine Tedder recording an RBI single after sending one out to center field to score Amanda Briskin. From there, the game transitioned into a pitcher dual with neither team able to plate a run for the remaining five innings. McKenzie Newcomb retired the side for the fifth time on the day in the top of the seventh with a fly out and two ground outs, giving Samford a 5-0 victory for its 10th shutout on the season.
 
GAME 2
Final: Western Carolina 4 | Samford 8   
 
Freshman Jordy Partain led Samford's effort from the circle, earning her fourth win for an overall record of 4-5. In her 12th start of the season, Partain allowed four runs on six hits and two walks while recording five strikeouts after 29 batters faced.
 
Despite Western Carolina jumping out to an early 1-0 lead, the Bulldogs kept their composure in the bottom of the first and responded with three runs of their own with junior Merritt Cahoon launching a three-run shot out of left center for her first homer of the season. Samford then found itself with a four-run lead in the bottom of the second after Mary Katherine Tedder plated McKayla Cothran and Sarah Squillace off a two RBI single to right field.
 
The Catamounts started to close the gap in the top of the third, initiating the battle of the home runs with Bailey Huneycutt recording a two-run shot to bring home Brewington on second. Sophomore Ansley Yantis returned the favor in the bottom half of the inning, going yard for her second-career home run. However, Western Carolina's Savannah Rice put the Catamounts right back in it in the top of the fourth with a lead-off homer to put the score at 6-4.
 
After limiting WCU to just one hit in the top of the sixth, the Bulldogs tallied on two additional runs in the bottom frame after Tedder fired off her third double on the day to bring home Cothran and Squillace. Freshman Jordyn Partain finished the job in the top of the seventh, retiring the side for an 8-4 game two win to remain undefeated in Southern Conference play.

HIGHLIGHTS:


 
UP NEXT:
The Samford softball team will close out its series against the Catamounts of Western Carolina on Sunday, April 10 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).