BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The Samford softball team continued play at home this weekend as they faced UAB and Indiana State in the three-team Samford Tournament. The Bulldog bats were dominant in game one over the Blazers as they won by run rule 16-7 while in game two their pitching carried the day as they beat the Sycamores 3-1. The Bulldogs move to 5-2 after both victories today.

GAME ONE: SAMFORD - 16 | UAB - 7

The bats from both teams were ready to go for game one today. UAB scored two runs in the first against Karley Fuller who got the ball to start for the Dogs. Luckily it didn't take long for Samford to answer as they scored six runs of their own in the bottom of the inning. Grier Bruce doubled to left field which brought in a run, followed by a Linsey Hargis single which scored Bruce. A wild pitch scored another run and then the hero from last night Katie Hart singled up the middle again to bring home the sixth run of the innings as they batted around.

UAB scored one run in the second but Samford scored four runs of their own in the bottom half. Katie Campbell's double scored Sarah Squillace while Brantley Drake, who got the start in right field, came through with a single that scored two. Sara Bond was the second pitcher of the day for the Bulldogs as she went 1.2 innings and gave up three runs. The Dogs led 14-6 after three innings after hits from Bruce and Drake combined to drive in three more runs. The final Samford scoring took place in the fourth as Logan Champion's double plated two teammates. 

Olivia Trout was effective as the third pitcher of the game going 1.1 innings in relief and surrendering one run. Jordyn Partain came in to finish off the game for the Bulldogs, throwing the final inning and escaping a bases-loaded jam to keep the run rule intact. 

Bruce had herself a three-hit afternoon while McKayla Cothran, Campbell, Champion, Brantley, and Hart all had multi-hit days as Samford racked up 16 hits for the game. Squillace scored a team-high four runs while Olivia Shaw and Bruce each scored three times. The 16 runs marked a season-high for the Bulldogs, as they achieved the feat in just four offensive innings.

GAME TWO: SAMFORD - 3 | INDIANA STATE - 1

Olivia Treece got the ball for the first time this for Samford. The freshman had control issues early on as she was punished for three first-inning walks and a throwing error in the field as she gave up one opening-inning unearned run. From that point on, she was lights out for the most part as she held the Sycamores to just two hits on the night. She finished with a complete game victory where she worked around seven walks and struck out four batters.

After giving up the lead in the first just like game one, the Bulldogs got it right back in the bottom of the frame. Two defensive mistakes by the visitors were punished as Katie Campbell singled to right field which scored Shaw and Squillace. 

The two runs were all the Dogs would need on the night as they were held to just one hit but the Sycamores made three errors on the night. Samford would tack on an insurance run in the fifth as Hargis reached with a leadoff walk and was moved over before Cothran reached on an error which allowed Hargis to score.

The Bulldogs are off to a strong 5-2 under first-year head coach Megan Curry which is their best start since the 2022 season. Samford is back in action tomorrow as they face Indiana State again at 11 am.



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