GAME NOTES -- SAMFORD vs. MERCER (PDF)

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The Samford softball team opens Southern Conference play this weekend by hosting Mercer for a three-game series. The Bulldogs enter the weekend with a 18-12 record on the season while the Bears come into the series with a 16-14 mark.

Samford returns home for their first game on campus since March 4 when they hosted Alabama. Samford and Mercer are meeting for the 83rd time with the Bulldogs leading the series 51-32. The two sides met for the last time in 2024 in Macon when the Bulldogs won 2-of-3 in the series.

The Dogs are coming off a 2-2 weekend in Oxford where they defeated NDSU twice and fell to Iowa State and Ole Miss. Samford has the second-best offense in the Southern Conference so far this season. The Bulldogs sit 69th in the NCAA RPI ranking, the highest of any team in the SoCon.

The Bulldogs have been led offensively this season by Olivia Shaw and Katie Campbell. The duo is batting .391 and .330 each while Shaw carries an OPS over 1.000. The Dogs have been without Joi Hubbard and McKayla Cothran at times due to injury, but they each are batting over .360 atop the lineup when they have been available. Hubbard is dynamic on the base path as she is 16-of-16 in stolen bases and Samford leads the SoCon as a team with 47 steals. Logan Champion is tied for the conference lead with eight home runs. 

The Bulldogs look for more production out of their deep pitching staff, as all five arms have double-digit appearances. Jordyn Partain has a 7-7 record and a 4.00 era but has a 2.70 era if you remove her outings against three ranked SEC sides.

Mercer was picked third in the SoCon Preseason Poll, one spot ahead of the Bulldogs. They are led by Tori Hedgecock who leads the conference with an OPS over 1.400. The Bears have had seven different players make an appearance in the circle so far this season.

The weekend slate is scheduled for two games on Saturday at 1 and 3 p.m. followed by the series finale on Sunday at 1 p.m. All games will be streamed on ESPN+ here and live stats can be followed here.

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For the latest news and information on Samford softball, visit the official website for Samford Athletics at SamfordSports.com. Fans can also follow the Bulldogs on social media at /SamfordSports (Facebook), @SamfordSB (Twitter), and @SamfordSB (Instagram).