May 9, 2002

BIRMINGHAM, Ala.. - Samford hits the road this weekend for a key Atlantic Sun Conference series at Campbell. Friday's game is scheduled for 7 p.m. (EST) while Saturday's doubleheader is set for 1 p.m. (EST).

With two conference series remaining, the Bulldogs (24-25, 10-14 A-Sun) find themselves in pretty much the same predicament as last season. Samford has to at least win four of their last six games to have a shot of making the conference tournament. Samford is currently in eighth place behind Georgia St. and Mercer. The Bulldogs have the tiebreaker over both the Panthers and Bears. After this weekend's series with Campbell, the Bulldogs host Belmont at home next weekend. Mercer has UCF and FAU left on the schedule while Georgia St. also has series with UCF and FAU.

The Bulldogs won the last game in the three-game series with McNeese St. last weekend. Samford ruined senior day for the Cowboys, recording 14 runs on 17 hits off nine pitchers in the 14-10 win. Robert Evans went 3-for-6 with four RBI while Mario White and Joe Denson each went 3-for-5. Samford committed a season-high eight errors and stranded 12 base runners to drop game one of the series, 9-2. McNeese St. St. rallied from a 7-4 deficit in game two, to defeat the Bulldogs 8-7. Denson finished the series 5-for-9 while Michael Collins went 5-for-8 with three runs scored and two RBI.

The Camels (18-27, 7-17 A-Sun) took two of three games from Troy St. over the weekend, 11-9 and 10-2. The Trojans shut out the Camels in the final game, 6-0. Campbell out hit the Trojans 18-12 in the first game and 15-8 in the second game. Nic Carter went 7-for-12 with three RBI in the series.

Samford will send two left-handers to the mound this weekend. Junior Robert Evans (3-1, 4.81 ERA) will start Friday's game while sophomore Derek Tharpe (3-5, 5.97 ERA) will get the call in the second game of the doubleheader. Junior right-hander Ehren Wassermann (5-3, 3.86 ERA) will start the first game of the doubleheader. Campbell will counter with right-hander Pat Murray (7-5. 3.69 ERA) and left-hander Wes Hepler (1-6, 5.11 ERA).

Junior first baseman Heath Owen hit two solo home runs against McNeese St. to bring his season total to 10, which is the most on the team. Owen has 28 RBI on the season, which is second best on the team. He also is riding a six-game hitting streak.

Samford returns home for its final four games of the regular season. Samford will host Mississippi St. Wednesday at 6 p.m. in a non-conference game. The Bulldogs host Belmont next weekend in their final conference series.