BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Samford softball team dropped the first two games of its Southern Conference set against Western Carolina on Saturday. The Bulldogs fell 2-1 in the opener and 8-4 in the afternoon. With the losses, the Bulldogs' record moves to 17-26 overall and 7-4 in SoCon play.
GAME ONE: Western Carolina - 2 | Samford - 1
In the first game, Western Carolina jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning on a two-run home run and never relinquished it against Samford starter Sara Bond. She took the loss despite striking out five batters in three innings of work. The Bulldogs' offense produced eight hits but struggled to capitalize, leaving 10 runners on base. Makinley Turner provided a bright spot out of the bullpen, throwing four scoreless innings of relief. Samford's only run came in the bottom of the seventh inning on an RBI single from Brandy Phillips. Phillips and Katie Campbell each recorded two hits, while Joi Hubbard, reached base all four times she came to the plate and scored the lone run.
GAME TWO: Western Carolina - 8 | Samford - 4
The nightcap saw both offenses come alive, but the Bulldogs were again unable to overcome an early deficit. The Catamounts scored four runs in the third against Phillips and three in the fourth against Reese Hickey to build a commanding lead. Samford answered with a three-run third inning, getting RBIs from Olivia Shaw, Campbell and Phillips to cut the lead to 4-3. However, Samford could not complete the comeback, leaving nine more runners stranded. The Bulldogs collected 10 hits, with Hubbard, Campbell and Katie Hart each tallying two. Olivia Treece was excellent in relief, pitching three scoreless innings while striking out three. Samford threatened in the final inning, scoring one run to make it 8-4, but left runners on base to end the game.
The two sides are back in action tomorrow to wrap up the three-game set. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m. as the Dogs look to salvage a game in the series.
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