BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The Samford softball team played its second game in as many days as they returned home to host West Georgia tonight. The Bulldog's offense exploded for nine runs in the bottom of the fifth inning as they run-ruled the Wolves 10-2 for the victory. The win moves Samford's record to 9-5 while West Georgia falls to 4-5 with the defeat.

The Bulldogs gave the ball to Karley Fuller to start in the circle. She cruised through her first inning of work and got run support right away as the Dogs scratched across a run in the bottom of the frame. McKayla Cothran got aboard with a hit to start the game and was bunted over into scoring position before being brought home on an Olivia Shaw single to center field. 

The Wolves got to Fuller in the second inning as they hit a solo homerun to left field to tie the game 1-1. Fuller retired the UWG side in order in the third inning which was her final inning of work as they turned to Jordyn Partain. Fuller's final line was 3 innings, two hits, one run, and two strikeouts as she did not receive a decision.

Samford loaded the bases in the bottom of the third but was unable to come up with the final hit. The Wolves brought one run across against Partain in her first inning of work as they took a 2-1 lead. The Bulldog's offense came to life in the bottom of the fifth which gave them the lead and ended the game. Shaw singled to lead off the inning before Katie Campbell homered deep to left field to put Samford up 3-2. 

The Wolves went to their bullpen after the Campbell homer but the next six Samford batters reached base safely. Addison Smith singled to score Grier Bruce before Ella Nelson's RBI single and Cothran's 2 RBI single made it 7-2 Bulldogs. Two more runs scored on an Olivia Shaw fielders choice and then Bruce brought her home on a sacrifice fly to reach the eight after five inning run rule. It is the second straight game the Dogs have won via the run rule after beating UAB 10-0 yesterday.

The Bulldogs outhit the Wolves 8-3 on the night led by Cothran's three-hit night where she scored two runs and had two RBIs. Shaw had a multi-hit night with three RBIs and two runs while Campbell drove in two runs with her homerun. Partain earned the win in the circle to move to 4-3 on the season.

Up next, the Bulldogs head to Gainesville this weekend as they play five games from Feb. 28-Mar. 2. They will face Troy, Florida, Western Michigan, and Florida A&M twice on the weekend.

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