BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Samford University baseball team pounded out 12 runs on 17 hits to take a 12-4 win and complete the series sweep of UNC Greensboro Sunday afternoon at Joe Lee Griffin Field.
 
"From the first pitch to the last pitch, really all weekend, we just did a really good job," Samford head coach Tony David said. "They're kid Chapman has thrown well for them and has good stuff, a lot of off-speed stuff and we just did a really good job of adjusting. Once we start staying in the middle of the field and going to that backside gap, the hits usually come in bunches."
 
With the win, Samford improved its record to 27-23 overall and 12-6 in Southern Conference play. UNCG fell to 19-30 overall and 8-10 in league action.
 
Samford was led in the game by Michael Gupton, going 3-for-3 with two home runs and four RBI. Jackson Harris and Jake Souders had three hits and an RBI each. Parker McDonald went 2-for-4 for the Bulldogs.
 
Josh Leerssen (2-2) pitched 2.2 innings in relief, giving up one run on one hit to earn the win on the mound for Samford. Mason Blasche started the game on the mound, tossing 4.1 innings, allowing two runs on four hits and recording five strikeouts. Evan Steckmesser pitched the final 2.0 innings, allowing just one run on two hits.
 
UNCG was led at the plate by Tyler Steele, going 2-for-4 with a home run and three RBI. Noah Chapman (5-2) pitched 5.0 innings, allowing five runs on eight hits to take the loss for the Spartans.
 
Samford jumped on top in the first inning when Souders doubled to drive in Cade Carr for a 1-0 Samford lead. After UNCG plated two runs in the top of the second, Samford answered with a run in the bottom of the inning. Gupton hit the first of his two homers, this one a solo shot, to knot the score at 2-2.
 
Samford took the lead for good with three runs in the fifth inning to take a 5-2 advantage. Carr doubled to drive in the first run of the inning and then scored on an error for the second run. Souders later scored on an error to give Samford a three-run lead.
 
The Bulldogs pushed the lead to 6-2 on an RBI single by Angelo Prieto in the bottom of the sixth inning. After UNCG cut the lead to 6-3 in the top of the seventh inning, Samford added four runs in the bottom of the inning to push the lead to 10-3. Gupton hit a three-run homer and Harris had an RBI single for a seven-run Samford lead.
 
Samford added two runs in the bottom of the eighth inning. Gatlin Pitts doubled to drive in two runs as Samford built a 12-3 lead. The Spartans plated one final run in the ninth inning to make the final score 12-4.
 
Samford will wrap up its regular season with a three-game series at Mercer. The teams are scheduled to play Thursday at 5 p.m. (CT), Friday at 5 p.m. (CT) and Saturday at 1 p.m. (CT).




 
FOLLOW THE BULLDOGS
For the latest news and information on Samford baseball, visit the official website for Samford Athletics at SamfordSports.com. Fans can also follow the Bulldogs on social media at /SamfordBaseball (Facebook), @SamfordBaseball (Instagram) and @SamfordBaseball (Twitter).