GAME NOTES -- SAMFORD at WESTERN CAROLINA (PDF)

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The Samford softball team is back in action this weekend as they hit the road to face Western Carolina as they continue Southern Conference play. The series was moved forward due to weather as now the Bulldogs will play two games on Friday, 2 p.m. and 4 p.m, followed by a 12 p.m. game on Saturday. Samford enters the series with a 20-14 record overall and is 2-1 in SoCon play while the Catamounts are 18-15 and carry the same league record.

After starting SoCon play 2-1 after a series against Mercer, the Dogs fell 9-0 to Jacksonville State in the midweek. It was the second defeat to a strong Gamecock side on the season, as the Samford bats, who have been good throughout the season, were silenced on Wednesday night. Jordyn Partain was dealing through three innings before she was hurt by the long ball in the fourth as JSU ran away with the win late.

Samford and Western Carolina are meeting for the 49th time with the Catamounts leading the series 25-23. WCU won two of three meetings in the regular season but the Bulldogs won two meetings in the SoCon Tournament. Samford has the second-best offense in the league so far this season and the Bulldogs sit 65th in the NCAA RPI ranking, the highest of any team in the SoCon.

The Bulldog's offense has been set at the top of the order by Joi Hubbard and McKayla Cothran who are now both back from injury and are hitting .338 and .353 respectively and the combo has combined to successfully steal 27-of-31 bases. Olivia Shaw has been one of the best hitters in the league as she leads the Dogs and is top-five in the SoCon in nearly every offensive category. Katie Campbell started the season strong but is looking to break a five-game hitless skid in the middle of the Samford lineup.

The Bulldogs look for more production out of their deep pitching staff, as all five arms have double-digit appearances. Jordyn Partain and Olivia Treece were strong in the conference opening series as they each earned a complete game win, but both struggled against JSU in last night's game.

All three games of the series can be streamed on ESPN+ and live stats can be followed with links here.

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