BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The Samford softball team wrapped up a three-game series against Mercer today in its Southern Conference opening weekend. After winning both games yesterday, the Bulldogs fell 12-5 against the Bears today. Samford's record moves to 20-13 after the defeat and 2-1 in league play.

The visitors jumped on the Bulldogs early as they tried to salvage the series after dropping both games yesterday narrowly. Samford gave the ball to Karley Fuller who made her sixth start of the season. She surrendered one run in the top of the first. The Bulldogs got a run back in the bottom of the first inning after Joi Hubbard led off with a walk and stole second base, her 19th steal of the season. McKayla Cothran singled up the middle to drive Hubbard in as the Bulldogs momentarily tied the game 1-1. Fullers day came to an end in the second inning, as the Bears added four runs in the second, including a three-run blast.

Olivia Trout came in to relieve Fuller after 1.2 innings of work and looked strong by blanking the Bears in the third and fourth innings. Ella Nelson put the Bulldogs on the board in the top of the third inning as she led off with a solo home run, her first of the year.

Mercer got to Trout for the first time in the fifth inning inning as they brought across four runs including another three-run homer. The Bears added three runs in the seventh inning off Sara Bond as they left the yard for another three-run homer to take a 12-2 lead. Olivia Shaw hit her fifth homer of the season in the bottom of the seventh to give the Bulldogs three runs but the deficit early was too much to overcome as they fell 12-5.

The Bulldogs were outhit eight to six but the Samford staff gave away seven walks to Bears hitters. Olivia Shaw and Ella Nelson each had multi-hit games as they both left the yard for the Dogs and went 2-for-3 on the day. Hubbard went 1-for-2 at the plate and scored two runs.

Samford is back in action on Wednesday as they leave SoCon play to host a game against Jacksonville State. The game is scheduled for March 26 at 5 p.m. The Gamecocks defeated the Bulldogs 5-2 when the two sides met earlier this season and JSU carries a 20-12 record on the year.



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