BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Samford University baseball team dropped a 7-5 decision to Presbyterian in the first game of a three-game series Friday night at Joe Lee Griffin Field.
 
With the loss, Samford fell to 10-14 on the season. Presbyterian improved to 5-22 with the win.
 
"It's hard to put into words how disappointing this game was," Samford head coach Tony David said. "Joe Lee was electric on the mound again. We wanted to keep his pitch count down with a shorter week. He ran into some really bad luck in the fifth. Other than the two solo homers, no hard contact on the run scoring plays. We just didn't hit the ball well enough with runners in scoring position which we have done well lately. And we had some uncharacteristically bad base running where we have been good. As frustrating as it is we have to flush it and come back tomorrow and play quality baseball. If we do that the rest will take care of itself."
 
For Samford at the plate, Trey Higgins went 3-for-4 with a home run, a triple and one RBI. Luke Boykin also homered, going 1-for-4 with two RBI. Parker McDonald went 3-for-3 with a double for the Bulldogs.
 
Joseph Lee started the game on the mound for Samford, pitching 4.2 innings, giving up three runs on five hits. Drew Druckenmiller (0-1) pitched two-thirds of an inning, allowing two runs on one hit to take the loss.
 
For Presbyterian, James Green went 4-for-4 with a home run, a double and one RBI. Nick Smith also homered for the Blue Hose, going 1-for-2 with an RBI. Jeremiah Hampton (2-2) earned the win on the mound, tossing 3.0 innings, giving up two runs on three hits. J.J. Harrell pitched the final inning, allowing just one hit to pick up his first save of the season.
 
Presbyterian scored a run in the third inning, but Samford tied the game with a run in the fourth inning. Each team plated two runs in the fifth inning, tying the score at 3-3. Presbyterian took the lead for good with three runs in the sixth inning at 6-3. Samford pulled to within one run with two runs in the eighth inning, cutting the lead to 6-5. Presbyterian added one final run in the ninth inning, making the final score 7-5.
 
The teams will continue the series with a game Saturday at 2 p.m. at Joe Lee Griffin Field. Fans can follow the game via live stats. For links to follow all of Samford's games this season, click on the following link: 2026 SCHEDULE.
 
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