FLORENCE, Ala. - The Samford softball team returned for day two at the North Alabama Tournament as they took on the hosts UNA and Lousiana-Monroe. The Bulldogs captured a thrilling and late 9-8 victory over the Lions before coming up just one short in a comeback attempt against the Warhawks 9-8. The Bulldogs move to 16-8 after the split today as their opening win handed UNA just their fourth loss of the season.

GAME ONE: Samford - 9 | North Alabama - 8

The Bulldogs gave the ball to Jordyn Partain, the day after throwing a two-hit shutout against ULM. Partain didn't have her usual command as she issued four early walks against the Lions. After retiring the side in order in the first, she ran into trouble in the second inning, as the home side got her for two runs. Her day came to an end the following inning as her final line read 2.2 innings, two hits, and two runs.

Offensively, the Bulldogs also found a run in the second innings as Grier Bruce got aboard with a single and was later plated on an Ella Nelson single up the middle. The Dogs gave the ball to Olivia Treece in relief and she had success early in her outing before pitching in and out of trouble in the back half of her outing. Like Partain, she lasted 2.2 innings, allowing three runs, hits, and walks while striking out three opposing batters. 

Samford trailed 3-1 as they went to the fifth inning before they rallied for three runs in the frame. The Dogs used two hits and two UNA errors in the inning as Katie Hart, Joi Hubbard, and Sarah Squillace all came around to score and give Samford the 4-3 lead. UNA tied the game as Treece issued a bases-loaded walk but got out of the bases-loaded jam without further damage as she retired the final two batters. 

The final innings turned into an offensive shootout as Samford scored in the sixth to tie the game 5-5 before Sara Bond was greeted with a two-run homer from UNA against the first batter she faced in the bottom of the sixth. Down a run in the final inning, Linsey Hargis hit a solo blast to center, her first of the season, which tied the game. The Bulldogs weren't done as Hubbard drove in two with a double and Squillace scored Hubbard with a single as Samford went up 9-6.

UNA homered in the seventh and had an inside-the-park homer as Hart was unable to make a diving catch in left field which allowed the ball to get into the corner. Bond was able to keep her composure and retire three straight Lions batters to earn the 9-8 win for the Dogs.

GAME TWO: Samford - 8 | ULM - 9

The Bulldog bats remained hot after game one early in the game as Joi Hubbard continued to set the table in the lead-off position. She got aboard, stole second, and was brought home on an Olivia Shaw single. The Dogs doubled their lead as Linsey Hargis singled to score Sarah Squillace. 

Sara Bond got the ball in game two after closing out game one of the day. She ran into trouble in the second inning and was relieved halfway through by Olivia Trout, but the Warhawks scored seven runs in the frame on five hits, two walks, and an error against the duo.

ULM added runs in the third and fourth innings off Karley Fuller as she went three innings in relief and steadied the ship. She allowed the Bulldogs to chip away at the Warhawk lead the rest of the way. A four-hit rally in the fourth inning allowed the Bulldogs to score four runs and make the game 9-6.

Linsey Hargis was swinging a hot bat all day as she homered in the fifth to make it 9-7 and then Logan Champion's solo shot in the seventh gave the Dogs life but they could not quite make up the big early deficit. Hubbard and Squillace had multi-hit efforts in both games today for Samford while Hargis homered in both games today.

The Bulldogs are back in action tomorrow as they play their final game of the tournament against hosts North Alabama. First pitch is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. as Samford looks to finish off a 4-1 weekend against a strong field.

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