March 16, 2002

Box Score

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Junior pitchers Ehren Wassermann and Robert Evans combined for nine strikeouts and Samford (13-9, 5-4 ASUN) scored three runs off three Stetson errors in the bottom of the seventh as the Bulldogs defeated the 25th ranked Hatters (19-4, 3-2 ASUN), 7-4 in the Atlantic Sun Conference series finale at Joe Lee Griffin Field Saturday evening.

"I'm proud of the team. The entire team played a part in this win," head coach Tim Parenton said. "Pitching was excellent all weekend for us. Beating a very good Stetson team, ranked in the top 25 is a great accomplishment."

The Bulldogs took two of three games from the Hatters after winning Friday night, 5-4. Robert Evans picked up his first win of the season in relief of Ehren Wassermann, who got the no decision. Evans allowed one run on three hits through four innings of work while striking out three. Wassermann gave up four runs on seven hits but struck out six.

Samford jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the second. Kip Snowden's RBI-double scored Heath Owen and freshman shortstop Eli Iorg singled up the middle to score Snowden and Sae Evans.

After a 25-minute lightning delay, Stetson cut into Samford's lead with an RBI-single by Brian Snyder making it 3-1. The Hatters added two more runs in the sixth. Chris Westervelt hit a solo home run to left field to bring the Hatters within 3-2. After another 25-minute lightning delay, Andy Wilson's fielder's choice ground out scored Snyder.

The Bulldogs regained the lead in the bottom of the sixth on Sae Evans' RBI-single to third base giving Samford a 4-3 advantage. Samford extended its lead in the bottom of the seventh. After Michael Collins singled up the middle and moved to second on Cory Sumner's sacrifice bunt, Stetson still had two outs in the inning. Collins moved to third on a wild pitch. Robert Evans then walked to put runners on the corners. Grant Caldwell then reached on an error, which scored Collins giving Samford a 5-3 lead. Robert Evans scored another run for the Bulldogs on a wild pitch and Stetson's second error of the inning. Owen then singled in Caldwell for the 7-3 lead.

Joe Kurelic hit a solo home run for Stetson in the bottom of the ninth but Robert Evans struck out Ian Church for the final out of the game. Owen, Sae Evans and Collins each went 2-for-4 to lead Samford. Sumner, Robert Evans, Snowden and Iorg each had one hit.

Westervelt finished the game 3-for-3 with one RBI while Bryan Zenchyk went 2-for-4 for Stetson.

Samford will host cross-town rival Birmingham-Southern Tuesday at 6 p.m. at Joe Lee Griffin Field. The two teams will also meet 7 p.m. Wednesday at BSC.