April 19, 2009

Box Score

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Samford's Amanda Barrs hit a two out RBI single, with the scored tied at five in the bottom of the seventh inning, to give the Bulldogs a 6-5 victory over Western Carolina softball Sunday. The Catamounts fall to 11-27 and 7-11 in the Southern Conference while the Bulldogs improve to 15-24 and 8-13 in the SoCon.

Chelsea Schaffer's lone hit in the game broke the school record for consecutive hits. She has currently hit safely in her last 15 game, breaking the record of 14 set by teammate Lauren Ross.

Samford broke open a 3-3 tie, after four scoreless innings, to take the lead from Western Carolina in the bottom of the sixth inning. The Bulldogs strung together two runs on two hits to take a 5-3 advantage.

Western Carolina tied the game back up in the top of the seventh inning. Schaffer drew a lead off walk and Kristen Gay hit a single to place runners at first and second. Amber Hawkins drew the second walk of the inning to load the bases, and Mollie Fowler pulled the Catamounts within one run with an RBI single to centerfield. Stephanie Beatty's sacrifice fly to left field scored Gay and tied the game at five.

Back-to-back singles by Scahaffer and Gay began a three-run first inning for Western Carolina. After Hawkins flew out to left field for the first out, and Gay stole third, Fowler hit a fielder's choice, Schaffer just beat the tag at home for the first run. A fielder's choice by Beatty scored Gay, Fowler was out on the play, and Beatty moved to second off a Bulldog miscue. The Catamounts scored the third run of the inning off an RBI single by Beth Hauser that plated Beatty.

Samford answered in the bottom of the first inning, scoring three runs of its own, to tie the game. The Bulldogs were aided by two Catamount errors to extend the inning.

Katie King tossed a complete game and takes the loss. She falls to 5-13 on the year. Gay and Hauser were the only Catamounts with multiple hits, as Gay was 3-for-4 and Hauser was 2-for-4.

Western Carolina returns to action Wednesday traveling to Athens, Ga. to take on Georgia. The single game is scheduled for 5 p.m.