TROY, Ala. - The Samford softball was back in action for the second day of play at the Trojan Invitational. After going 1-1 yesterday, the Bulldog bats woke up in a big way in day two but the final result was the same as they fell to Tennessee State 12-9 before bouncing back with a 12-0 win over Troy tonight. The Bulldogs move to 2-2 on the season with the split today.

GAME ONE: Tennessee State - 12 | Samford - 9

The Bulldogs started the day off with a morning game against Tennessee State and it was a shootout straight from the jump. The Tigers tacked on two runs in the top of the first against Karley Fuller who got the ball to start for Samford. The Bulldogs responded in a big way immediately as they answered with seven runs in the bottom of the opening inning. The Dogs opened with three straight singles and then took advantage of walks and defensive mistakes before the rally was capped by a McKayla Cothran double that scored two as Samford batted around in the first.

The Tigers hit back with seven runs of their own in the top of the second inning as they chased Fuller who's final line was 1.1 innings, six hits, and nine runs, seven earned. She was replaced by Olivia Trout who got through the inning before passing the ball along to Sara Bond for the remainder of the game. 

Katie Campbell and Olivia Shaw each had sac flies in the second and fourth innings to tie the game at nine as Bond was strong in her opening innings of work in relief. The Tigers finally got to her in the fifth inning as they brought across three runs in an inning where Samford had two errors.

Bond's line ended with five innings of work, surrendering four hits, three runs, two earned, and struck out four. Samford managed just one hit in the final three innings as they fell 12-9.

Cothran was one of the brightest spots at the plate as she went 3-for-4 with a double and two RBIs. Joi Hubbard is off to a strong start to her freshman season as she reached safely three times going 2-for-3 and scored three times. 

GAME TWO: Samford - 12 | Troy - 0 

The Bulldogs took the field tonight against the host Trojans and despite a break in between games, the Bulldogs stayed just as hot from game one. Samford scored two runs in the second inning as Grier Brice drove home Katie Campbell with a single and Linsey Hargis did the same later to score Olivia Shaw. 

Starting with a cushion, the Bulldogs made life comfortable for ace Jordyn Partain even though she was so sharp she barely needed it. She dominated the hosts, going a complete game, five inning shutout and allowing just two hits while striking out four.

Samford delivered the blow that would decide the game in the fourth inning as the Dogs brought across eight in the frame. They had five hits, all singles, and took full advantage of four Troy errors as they went up 10-0.

The Bulldogs added two more in the fifth as the top of the lineup started with three singles to bring Cothran home on a Hubbard hit and the rally was capped with a Shaw double that scored Sarah Squillace.

Partain dominated in the circle along with multi-hit games from five Bulldogs at the plate secured the blowout win. Cothran, Hubbard, and Campbell all had two hit games while Shaw and Hargis, inserted into the lineup for the first time this season, had three hit games. 

The Bulldogs are back in action on Wednesday when they head to Jacksonville State at 5 p.m. The Gamecocks are 3-2 on the season after playing a weekend against Jacksonville and North Florida.

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