BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Samford softball team opened the Samford Tournament with a commanding 8-0 run-rule victory over Lindenwood before dropping a 5-0 decision to Belmont in the doubleheader Friday at SU Softball Stadium. The Bulldogs move to 3-5 on the season after splitting tournament action at home.
Game one saw the Bulldogs ignite their offense early, when Preseason Southern Conference Player of the Year, Olivia Shaw, hit a two-run home run in the first inning. Shaw's long ball set the tone as Samford quickly seized momentum against the Lions. The Bulldogs' bats stayed hot in the third, when Shaw delivered her second home run of the day—a two-run shot to center—scoring Ella Nelson to extend the lead. Katie Campbell followed with a mammoth shot of her own to left field, as the Dogs went back-to-back to make it 5-0 in the third, her third of the season.
Makinley Turner was dominant in the circle, tossing a complete-game shutout with three hits allowed and four strikeouts. Her efficient pitching—including inducing 12 ground ball outs—kept Lindenwood scoreless. Shaw had her best game of the early season, going 2-for-2 with five RBIs and two walks at the plate. The Bulldogs closed out the run-rule victory in the sixth after runs from Shaw, Campbell, and Shannon Weems, ending the contest at 8-0.
The momentum proved difficult to sustain in game two, as Samford faced a stellar pitching performance from Belmont's Maya Johnson. The Bulldogs struggled to string together offense against the Bruin's left-hander as she racked up 15 strikeouts on the night. After allowing three runs in the third, the Dogs found it tough to create many scoring opportunities. For Samford, Brandy Phillips lasted four innings in the circle, allowing four runs on eight hits.
Olivia Shaw continued her strong day with two more hits, including a double and a walk, while Joi Hubbard added a double. Campbell also contributed a single, but the Bulldogs went 1-for-5 with runners in scoring position after loading the bases in the sixth but coming up empty. Belmont took control in the second inning with a pair of doubles that plated three runs, then added insurance with sacrifice flies in the fourth and sixth.
Olivia Treece provided effective relief pitching, allowing just one earned run over three innings and striking out two. Despite holding Belmont to one run in the later frames, Samford could not overcome the deficit, falling 5-0 in the nightcap.
The Bulldogs are back in action for two games tomorrow as they host Lindenwood at 12:30 p.m. and North Alabama at 5:30 p.m.
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