BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Samford softball team battled the Spartans of UNCG to a Saturday doubleheader split in Birmingham after the Bulldogs fell by a 7-3 final decision in game one before downing the Spartans 2-0 in game two.
 
BOX SCORE: GAME ONE (PDF)
BOX SCORE: GAME TWO (PDF)
 
GAME 1
Final: UNCG 7 | Samford 3
 
The Spartans of UNC Greensboro managed to grab the early lead with two runs in the top of the first with Samantha Lagrama recording a two RBI double with the bases loaded. Right-hand pitcher McKenzie Newcomb buckled down in the circle for Samford with back-to-back strikeouts to close out the inning and put the Bulldogs at the plate.
 
Freshman Sarah Squillace kickstarted Samford's attack with a leadoff single to right field, advancing to second on the next play off a UNCG fielding error. Fellow freshman McKayla Cothran reached first off the error for two runners on base before senior Mary Katherine Tedder fired a three-run shot out of left field on her first swing to put Samford in front 3-2.
 
However, the Spartans took back control in the top of the second with a three-run home run of their own with Maycin Brown sending a ball out of right center to plate Makenna Matthijs and Jessie Shipley. UNC Greensboro kept the Bulldogs scoreless over the next two innings before extending its lead by two more runs in the top of the fourth off solo shots from Shipley and Delaney Cumbie.
 
Samford looked to rally with its best chance coming in the bottom of the sixth after Merritt Cahoon singled to right field, advancing to second on the throw with pinch runner Abigail Dorsett reaching third. With two runners on and two outs, designated hitter Gwynnie Hornibrook stepped up to the plate but was unable to convert, grounding out to third to close the frame. That was as close as the Bulldogs could get as UNCG's Morgan Scott retired the final three batters to seal the Spartan win.
 
Freshman McKenzie Newcomb suffered the loss in the circle after allowing seven earned runs on seven hits with four walks and seven strikeouts in her complete game performance. The Meridianville, Ala., native now holds an overall record of 20-8 on the season.
 
GAME 2
Final: UNCG 0 | Samford 2  
 
Freshman Jordyn Partain picked up the win to improve her overall record to 9-6 on the season after throwing her 11th complete game to shut out UNC Greensboro. The Macon, Ga., native allowed no runs on just four hits while stranding a total of eight Spartans on base throughout the seven innings.
 
The Bulldogs struck first this time around with Timberlyn Shurbutt driving in her 37th run of the season, firing a shot down the left field line to plate freshman Sarah Squillace in the bottom of the first. Over the next four innings, the Samford defense retired six-straight UNCG batters, while stranding two runners on base in the top of the fourth before downing the order once again in the fifth frame.
 
One of the key moments in the game came in the top of the sixth when Jordyn Partain pitched out of a base-loaded, one-out jam. After a walk to load the bases, Partain forced back-to-back outs to end the inning and keep the Spartans off the board. The Bulldogs followed up with an insurance run in the bottom half of the inning after Mary Katherine Tedder recorded an RBI single with Squillace beating out the throw to home. It would be another three up, three down situation for the Samford defense in the top of the seventh, allowing for the Bulldogs to close out the day with a 2-0 victory.  

HIGHLIGHTS: 


 
UP NEXT:
The Samford softball team and the Spartans of UNCG will battle for the SoCon regular-season crown with a rubber match on Sunday, May 8. First pitch is set for 1 p.m. 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).