BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Samford University baseball team dropped a 12-2 decision in seven innings in the final game of a three-game series against Little Rock Sunday afternoon at Joe Lee Griffin Field.
 
With the loss, Samford fell to 7-11 on the season. Little Rock improved to 10-9 with the win.
 
For Samford at the plate, Jeffrey Ince went 3-for-4 with an RBI. Cade Carr also drove in a run, going 1-for-2 for the Bulldogs. Andrew Marble (1-2) pitched 1.0 inning, giving up six runs on seven hits to take the loss on the mound for Samford. Will Andre, Palmer O'Beirne, Ryan Vermillion, Austin Tommasini and Zak Spurrier also saw time on the mound for Samford.
 
Little Rock was led at the plate by Kade Smith, going 3-for-5 with two doubles and two RBI. Cade Martin went 2-for-4 with two RBI, Jerdy Lopez went 2-for-3 with a double and two RBI and Nolan Freund went 2-for-3.
 
Zach Busick (3-1) pitched 5.0 innings, allowing two runs on six hits and striking out three batters to earn the win on the mound for the Trojans. Trent Jordan pitched the final 2.0 innings, giving up just one hit for Little Rock.
 
Little Rock scored three runs in the first inning, three runs in the second inning and two runs in the third inning to take an 8-0 lead. Samford came back with a run each in the third and fourth innings to cut the lead to 8-2. Little Rock plated four runs in the top of the sixth inning to push its lead to 12-2. Samford could not score in the sixth or seventh innings, ending the game on the mercy rule.
 
Samford will next play at in-state rival Jacksonville State Tuesday afternoon. The game is set for a 3 p.m. first pitch from Rudy Abbott Field at Jim Case Stadium.
 
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