May 5, 2002

Box Score

LAKE CHARLES, La. - Robert Evans and Josh Rhodes each hit two-RBI singles in the top of the ninth and Alan Bryan held McNeese St. (27-21) scoreless in the bottom portion of the inning as Samford (24-25) defeated the Cowboys, 14-10 Sunday afternoon at Cowboy Diamond. The Bulldogs scored 14 runs on 17 hits off nine different Cowboy pitchers on senior day.

Robert Evans, Heath Owen and Mario each homered in the game for the Bulldogs. Alan Bryan (4-6) picked up the win in relief of Derek Tharpe and Travis Crossland.

With the game tied at 10 heading into the ninth, Samford loaded the bases on two walks and a bunt single. Robert Evans singled up the middle to score Michael Collins and Mario White, giving the Bulldogs a 12-10 lead. With one out, Rhodes drove in Cory Sumner and Robert Evans to give Samford the 14-10 lead. After the Cowboys got a leadoff double in the ninth, Bryan retired the side to give the Bulldogs their only win in the series.

McNeese St. took an early 5-1 lead after the first inning. The Bulldogs rallied with four runs in the third to tie the game at 5. Evans hit a two-run home run and Eli Iorg drove in two runs with a double for Samford.

After the Cowboys went back ahead 6-5 in the third, Samford scored two runs in the fourth. Grant Caldwell hit a two RBI single to left field, putting Samford ahead 7-6. The Bulldogs added one run in the fifth on Collins' RBI single to take an 8-6, but McNeese tied the game with two runs in the sixth. After McNeese took a 9-8 lead, White homered in the seventh to tie the game, and Owen homered in the eighth to give Samford a 10-9 lead.

Robert Evans went 3-for-6 with four RBI while White finished 3-for-5 with one RBI and three runs scored. Joe Denson also went 3-for-5 for Samford. Owen, Rhodes and Collins each had two hits.

Brian Bernhardt went 5-for-5 for McNeese while Tim Lemke was 4-for-4 with five RBI.

Samford next plays at Campbell in a key Atlantic Sun Conference series next weekend.