Bulldogs Corral Western Michigan In Weekend Opener

Friday, March 10

Jacksonville, Ala.

2:30 PM

Samford University

7-14

Western Michigan

5-9

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	Runs R	Hits H	Errors E
Western Michigan	0	2	0	0	0	0	0	2	7	1
Samford	0	0	0	0	1	3	X	4	4	0

Bulldogs Corral Western Michigan In Weekend Opener

3.10.23 | Softball

Box Score

JACKSONVILLE, Ala. – In the opening game of the JSU Gamecock Invite, the Samford Softball team defeated the Western Michigan Broncos 4-2 in a dramatic come-from-behind fashion.

With the win, the Bulldog snap a three-game losing streak and improve to 7-14 on the season. Western Michigan will take a 5-9 record into the rest of the weekend.

Reigning Southern Conference Pitcher of the Month Mckenzie Newcomb started in the circle for the Bulldogs and was given a no-decision after only giving up a pair of runs throughout four innings.

In a relief effort, Sara Bond picked up the win for the Bulldogs as the freshman tossed three one-hit innings of shutout ball.

All four of Samford's on the afternoon came from Bulldogs in the bottom half of the lineup as Merritt Cahoon, Ansley Yantis, Bond and McKayla Cothran each collected a base knock on the day. Yantis and Cothran each drove in a run with their hits.

Logan Champion added to the offense by scoring a run along with Kinley Pate, Cahoon and Taylor Harris.

After a scoreless opening frame to the weekend, the Broncos of Western Michigan scratched across their only runs of the day with a two-run home run to left field off of Newcomb.

The 2-0 score held until the bottom of the fifth inning when Samford cut the lead in half. After back-to-back walks to Harris and Yantis, Cothran punched a single to center to score Harris and give the Bulldogs some life.

Champion picked off a Bronco runner at first to end the top of the sixth to get the dramatics underway. The Samford catcher opened the bottom of the sixth with a walk that was followed by a Grier Bruce walk to put a pair of Bulldogs on the base paths.

A sacrifice bunt put the Bulldogs in scoring position, which led to Champion scoring the tying run on a Western Michigan wild pitch. Pate, who pinch-ran for Bruce, moved to third on the play.

Cahoon worked a one-out full-count walk and then stole second to get into scoring position.

Yantis' single coupled with a Bronco error on the play allowed Pate and Cahoon to score and gave Samford a 4-2 advantage heading into the seventh inning.

Bond retired the Western Michigan batters in order to secure the 4-2 Bulldog victory and her second win of the year.

UP NEXT:
These two squads will face off again on Saturday at noon CT as the Bulldogs look for the weekend sweep of the Broncos. Following the WMU game, Samford will play host Jacksonville State at 2:30 p.m. CT and that game will be streamed on ESPN+.

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).