GAME NOTES--SAMFORD VS. BELMONT (PDF)

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Samford University baseball team will open the 2026 season by hosting Belmont in a three-game series this weekend at Joe Lee Griffin Field. The teams are set to play a doubleheader Friday at 2 p.m. and a single game Saturday at 1 p.m.. Friday's games can be seen live on ESPN+ and live stats will be available for all three games.

Samford is scheduled to start right-handed pitcher Mason Blasche on the mound in game one, right-hander Michael Fredette in game two and righty Andrew Marble in the series finale.

Samford and Belmont have met eight previous times, with Belmont holding a 7-1 series lead. The teams last played in the CoVID shortened 2020 season, with Belmont earning a 9-4 win in Nashville. Samford's lone win in the series came on Feb. 14, 1998 in a 10-6 victory at home.

Samford comes into the 2026 season returning seven of eight position starters and one starting pitcher from the 2025 season.
 
Jackson Harris and Cade Carr are the leading returners by batting average, with both hitting .332 last season. Harris had 16 doubles, five home runs and 46 RBI. Carr led the team in RBI with 61, to go along with his 16 doubles and eight home runs.
 
Jeffrey Ince hit .330 with 17 doubles, 10 home runs and 34 RBI, while Jake Souders finished the season with a .327 average with 13 doubles, eight home runs and 46 RBI.

Samford sophomore pitcher Mason Blasche is the preseason SoCon Pitcher of the Year and a second-team preseason All-American. Blasche posted a record of 10-0 with an ERA of 3.24 last season.
 
Belmont posted a record of 26-34 overall and 13-14 in the Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) during the 2025 season. The Bruins are scheduled to start left-handed pitcher Owen Cavey in game one of the series. Cavey posted a 6.60 ERA at Ashland University last season. The Bruins have not named a starter for game two and Belmont has listed right-handed pitcher Sam Heyman as its starter in game three. Heyman finished the 2025 season with a record of 6-6 at Southeast Missouri.
 
For links to follow all of Samford's games this season, go to the following link: 2026 SCHEDULE.
 
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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).