GAME NOTES -- SAMFORD vs. JACKSONVILLE STATE (PDF)

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The Samford softball team is back in action tomorrow as they host Jacksonville State for a single midweek game. First pitch is scheduled for 5 p.m. as the Bulldogs enter with a 20-13 record while the Gamecocks sit at 20-12 on the year.

The Dogs are coming off a 2-1 weekend as they opened Southern Conference play at home against Mercer. Samford won game one of the series 7-6 and game two 2-1 before dropping the finale of the set 12-5. Ella Nelson and Olivia Shaw led the way offensively in the series while Jordyn Partain and Olivia Treece each earned complete game victories in the circle. 

Samford and Jacksonville State are meeting for the 73rd time with the Gamecocks leading the series 45-26. The two sides met earlier this season in Jacksonville with the Gamecocks taking the game 5-2. JSU handed Treece her lone defeat of the season as she lasted just .1 innings, allowing two runs and struggling with her command with three walks. Partain was strong in relief as she pitched three shutout innings to close out the game for the Bulldogs.

Samford has the second-best offense in the SoCon so far this season and the Bulldogs sit 65th in the NCAA RPI ranking, the highest of any team in the SoCon. The heart of the order returns for the Bulldogs as they have been led offensively this season by Olivia Shaw and Katie Campbell. The duo is batting .394 and .302 each while Shaw carries an OPS over 1.100. The Dogs have been without Joi Hubbard and McKayla Cothran at times due to injury. They each are batting over .345 atop the lineup when they have been available. Hubbard is dynamic on the base path as she is 19-of-20 in stolen bases and Samford leads the SoCon as a team with 51 steals.

The game can be seen on ESPN+ here and live stats can be followed here.

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