GAME NOTES--SAMFORD VS. QUEENS (PDF)

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Samford University baseball team will open the 2024 season by playing host to the Queens Royals for a three-game series, playing Friday at 4 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m. and Sunday at 1 p.m. at Joe Lee Griffin Field.
 
Samford is scheduled to start right-handed pitcher Brooks Rice, the preseason SoCon Pitcher of the Year, on the mound Friday night. Right-hander Michael Ross, returning after missing the 2023 season with injury, will start Saturday, and righty Will Lynch will start Sunday's series finale. Queens is set to start right-handed pitcher Landry Jurecka on Friday. Saturday's starter for Queens will be right-hander Derek Westfall. Right-hander Andrew White will be Sunday's starter for the Royals. The series will mark the first time Samford and Queens have ever met in baseball.
 
Samford is coming off a season that saw the Bulldogs post a record of 37-25 overall and 15-6 in Southern Conference play, winning both the league regular-season title and the SoCon Tournament championship. Samford returns six position starters and two starting pitchers from last year's team. Samford returns 66 percent of its hits, 75 percent of its home runs and 69 percent of its RBI from last season. Samford head coach Tony David is in his third season in charge of the program. He led the 2023 team to the SoCon regular season and SoCon Tournament titles in the same season for the first time in program history.

Queens posted a record of 17-38 overall and 9-21 in Atlantic Sun play last season. The Royals are under the direction of first-year head coach Jake Hendrick.
 
The Friday and Sunday games can be seen live on ESPN+ and live stats will be available for all three games. For links to follow all of Samford's games this season, click on the following link: BASEBALL SCHEDULE. For ticket information go to www.SamfordTickets.com.
 
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For the latest news and information on Samford baseball, visit the official website for Samford Athletics at SamfordSports.com. Fans can also follow the Bulldogs on social media at /SamfordBaseball (Facebook), @SamfordBaseball (Instagram) and @SamfordBaseball (Twitter).