Feb. 18, 2001

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Eastern Kentucky ruined Samford University's baseball home opener Saturday, knocking off the Bulldogs 9-3 and 4-3 at Joe Lee Griffin Field.

Samford (1-4) surrendered 12 hits to Eastern Kentucky (2-0) and gave up four runs in the seventh inning to fall 9-3 in game one. The Bulldogs trailed 5-3 when the Colonels put together five hits and scored four runs in the top of the seventh. Chris Grynaviski, Mike Schneider and Gave Thomas each singled in the inning, Adam Crowder and Aaron Williams doubled and a wild pitch helped the Colonels take game one. Schneider and Thomas each scored two runs for the Colonels. Robert Evans went 2-for-4 and scored twice for the Bulldogs.

In game two, Samford stranded three base runners in its last at bat to fall 4-3. After EKU's Aaron Crowder hit his second homerun of the game in the top of the sixth to put the Colonels ahead 4-2, Eric Hollis answered with his second solo shot of the game to cut the lead to 4-3 in the bottom of the sixth. In the bottom of the seventh Philip Holmes singled, Cory Sumner reached on a fielder's choice, and Grant Caldwell was hit by a pitch to give the Bulldogs runners at first and second with one out. Heath Owen then loaded the bases on an error by EKU shortstop Kiley Vaughn, but Danny Nelson struck out and Eric Hollis flied out to second to end the game. Hollis went 2-for-4 with a pair of home runs and Heath Owen went 2-for 4 also with a run scored to lead the Bulldogs.

The teams will meet on Sunday at 2 p.m. for the final game of the series.