GAINESVILLE, Fla. - The Samford softball team wrapped up play this weekend at the Florida Invitational by taking on Florida A&M this morning. After defeating the Rattler last night, the Bulldogs defeated them 7-0 for the second straight game. The victory moves Samford's record to 13-6 on the season.

The Bulldogs didn't wait long to get on the board first today as McKayla Cothran started the game with a lead-off single and a steal of second base. Samford did a good job playing small ball to produce a first-inning run as Cothran was bunted over to third and scored on a Katie Campbell sacrifice fly.

The Dogs gave the ball to Sara Bond who made her third start of the season. The junior delivered her best performance of the season today as she went the distance, shutting out the Rattlers over seven innings. She allowed just five hits and struck out a season-high seven opposing batters.

Samford added an insurance run in the fourth and fifth innings, first as Olivia Shaw doubled to lead off the fourth before scoring on a Linsey Hargis ground out. Sarah Squillace was hit by a pitch in the fifth to get aboard and was plated by a one-out Katie Campbell double to put Samford up 3-0.

The Bulldogs put the game away for good as they brought across four runs in the seventh inning. They had a walk and three hits in the frame as Campbell and Shaw each singled which scored a run. The Dogs had productive outs offensively throughout the game as Ella Nelson scored on a fielder's choice and Addison Smith on a ground out.

The Bulldogs finished the game with six hits, led by Shaw and Campbell who each had two while Campbell led the team with three RBIs. With her pitching performance, Bond now leads the team in ERA and carries a 4-1 record.

Up next, Samford returns home to host Alabama on Tuesday. First pitch is scheduled for 5 p.m. while the Crimson Tide have a 14-6 record on the season.

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