TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - The Samford softball team remained on the road tonight as they faced No. 4 Alabama. The Bulldogs faced a 23-0 Tide side and hung around early, but couldn't generate enough at the plate as they fell 8-1. Samford's record moves to 9-18 on the season.

Sara Bond drew the start for the Bulldogs and held Alabama scoreless through two frames after she escaped a bases-loaded jam in the opening inning. She gave up a single to lead off the home-half of the third and was replaced by freshman Reese Hickey, who was greeted rudely with a two-run homer to center field. Claire McArthur was the third pitcher to enter in the third and got the Dogs out of the inning, but not before they trailed 5-0.

Samford's really lone offensive threat came in the fourth as the Bulldogs went through the order for the second time. Ella Nelson collected the first Samford hit of the night as she singled to lead off the frame and was brought home as Olivia Shaw tripled off the wall in center. With two on and no one out, the Dogs went down in order as their rally generated just the one run.

Bond reentered in the circle and surrendered solo shots in the fourth and the sixth. Olivia Trout finished the final inning for the Bulldogs, as they tacked on one more run to make it an 8-1 game. 

The Bulldogs generated just the two hits from Nelson and Shaw, and Katie Campbell reached base twice on hit-by-pitches. Bond was arguably the most effective pitcher for the Bulldogs but was hit with the loss after pitching four innings and allowing three runs. Hickey was charged with three runs while McArthur and Trout each gave up one run.

Samford has a quick turnaround after facing its seventh-ranked opponent of the season tonight. They head to play Jacksonville State tomorrow at noon against a Gamecocks side that enters with a 16-8 record.

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