JACKSONVILLE, Ala. - The Samford softball team returned to play tonight as they traveled to take on Jacksonville State in a rescheduled matchup between the two sides. The Bulldogs fell behind early and were unable to make up ground as they dropped the game 5-2. Samford's record falls to 16-10 with the defeat while the Gamecocks move to 19-7 on the season.

The Bulldogs gave the ball to Olivia Treece tonight, making her fourth start of the season. The freshman has been great this season, carrying the team's best earned run average into the game, but the Gamecocks got to her early as she struggled with her command which allowed baserunners. She hit a batter, allowed a single, walked three batters, and allowed two runs before being replaced by Sara Bond after recording just one out. Bond came in and retired the first two batters she faced to escape the jam without further damage.

The home side tacked on one run in the second inning off Bond before Samford got their offense going in the game. Katie Hart and Joi Hubbard led off the top of the third inning with singles before Olivia Shaw delivered a two-RBI double into left-center field to make the game 3-2. 

JSU answered the two Bulldog runs with two runs of their own in the bottom of the frame on one hit and some missed plays defensively. The end of the inning marked the end of Bond's day as her final line read 2.2 innings, three hits, and three runs. She was replaced by Jordyn Partain who would go the rest of the way in the circle, allowing just two hits in three innings of work.

The Dogs looked like they had a rally going in the sixth inning as Katie Campbell and Grier Bruce singled before Linsey Hargis hit a sharp line drive which was caught and resulted in a double play. Samford outhit JSU 8-6 in the game but the Gamecocks had some timely hits and took advantage of free passes from Bulldog pitching. Bruce and Hart each had two hits in the game for Samford while Shaw delivered the hit that drove in both runs. Treece suffered her first defeat of the season after going just .1 innings.

The Bulldogs are back in action this weekend as they compete at the Ole Miss Tournament. The Dogs open with two games against North Dakota State on Thursday and Friday before facing Iowa State for two games and one game against hosts Ole Miss on Saturday afternoon.

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