BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The Samford softball team returned home for just its seventh home game of the season today as it hosted Troy. The Bulldogs failed to generate offense against the Trojan pitching as they fell 5-0 to take their record to 9-20 on the season. 

Brandy Phillips made her eighth start of the season in the circle for the Bulldogs, but she struggled early as she allowed three hits and two runs in the opening inning. She allowed a leadoff double to start the second before being replaced by Olivia Treece. The Samford sophomore was strong in relief as she went five innings out of the bullpen. 

Treece allowed just three hits and struck out five Troy batters in her outing, but ran into trouble in the fourth. She wasn't helped by her defense as Troy scored on a steal of second base, which allowed a runner at third to score. and a dropped third strike which would have ended the inning, which came in to score on a single later. Despite her good outing, she struggled with her command, allowing five free passes.

Offensively, the Dogs had just three hits on the game. Katie Campbell had two singles while Sydnie Ferrant collected the other hit for the Bulldogs. Phillips' record drops to 1-5 on the season.

The Bulldogs are back in action on Saturday as they open Southern Conference play at Mercer for a three-game set that begins on Saturday. The Bears are 12-13 on the season.

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