BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The Samford softball team remained at home after a series win over Mercer for a midweek matchup against Jacksonville State. The two sides met for the second time this season, with both results going the Gamecocks as the Bulldogs fell 9-0 tonight. Samford's record falls to 20-14 after the defeat and they remain at 2-1 in Southern Conference play.

It looked like a pitcher's duel was breaking out as the Dogs handed the ball to Jordyn Partain for her 15th start of the season. She blanked the visitors for three innings, allowing just two base runners as she went through the Gamecocks lineup for the first time. The Samford ace ran into trouble in the top of the fourth however as she allowed a leadoff double and hit the second batter before surrendering a three-run homer to left field. Her day came to an end after three-plus innings of work where she allowed four hits and three runs as her record falls to 8-8 on the season.

Partain was replaced by freshman Olivia Treece who made the start when the two sides met in Jacksonville earlier this season. She struggled against JSU as she allowed one run in the fourth before allowing one run in the fifth and leading the bases loaded when she was replaced by Olivia Trout. The first batter Trout faced homered to center field, adding three earned runs to Treece's stat line and one to Trout before getting out of the inning by retiring the next batter. Treece went 1.2 innings as the visitor's lead increased to 9-0 after the top of the fifth.

The Bulldog bats were held down throughout the night, as the second-highest scoring team in the SoCon was held to just three hits. McKayla Cothran, Grier Bruce, and Sarah Squillace all singled in the game but the Dogs were barely able to get through their lineup twice before JSU ended the game due to run rule.

Samford is back in conference play when they return to the field next. They will travel to Western Carolina for a three-game set that has been moved to a Friday doubleheader and solo game Saturday due to weather concerns. The Catamounts carry an 18-15 record and sit at 2-1 in SoCon play.

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