MOBILE, Ala. - The Samford softball team opened play at the Jaguar Classic with two games today. The Bulldogs looked impressive in the opening game as they downed New Mexico 8-2 before falling to the hosts South Alabama in game two 5-0. Samford's record moves to 9-14 after the split of games today.

GAME ONE: Samford - 8 | New Mexico - 2

Samford wasted no time asserting itself in their opening game of the tournament, launching a trio of home runs and jumping out to an early advantage against New Mexico. In the top of the first, Brandy Phillips set the tone with a two-run home run to left center, scoring Joi Hubbard and giving the Bulldogs an immediate lead. The offense continued in the second as Katie Hart reached on an error, allowing Brooke Wildes to score, before Hubbard followed with a run-scoring double to push the margin to 4-0.

After New Mexico got a run back with a sacrifice fly in the third, Samford responded quickly. Ella Nelson homered to left in the top of the fourth, and Katie Campbell added a solo shot in the fifth to stretch the lead to 6-1. The Bulldogs' aggressive approach was evident as they piled up 12 hits and three home runs, with Campbell going 3-for-4 and Nelson driving in two runs.

Olivia Treece got the start in the circle and was good in the circle through two innings, shutting out the Lobos, but struggled some with her command as she issued three walks. She was replaced in the third frame by Sara Bond, who delivered five strong innings of relief, allowing just one hit and one earned run while striking out three to pick up her first win of the season. Samford finished with 12 hits and held UNM to just two, as Hubbard, Campbell, Nelson, and Wildes all had multi-hit games.

GAME TWO: Samford - 0 | South Alabama - 5

After a power-hitting display in game one, Samford's bats were held in check by South Alabama as the Bulldogs managed just three hits in a 5-0 loss. The Jaguars broke through in the third inning with a two-run double and added a two-run home run in the fifth to pull away off Samford pitcher Brandy Phillips. She went all six innings in the circle for the Dogs, allowing 10 hits and five earned runs.

Samford stranded 10 runners over seven innings, including leaving the bases loaded in the second after a promising start. Addison Smith, Nelson, and Hart recorded Samford's only hits, while Sydnie Ferrant reached base twice via walks.

The Bulldogs are back in action for two games tomorrow, starting with Mississippi State at 12:30, followed by South Alabama at 5:30 p.m. 

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