Oct. 16, 2008

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The Samford baseball team wrapped up fall practice with its annual Red-Blue Game Thursday night at Joe Lee Griffin Field. The Blue team defeated the Red team by a score of 2-1.

Head Coach Casey Dunn said the fall has been a productive one for the Bulldogs.

"As a whole, I thought our fall was really good," Dunn said. "We were able to evaluate a lot and watch some of our newer guys. At the same time, we got a lot of instruction in as well.

"The biggest thing is I think we set a base for what we can do over the rest of the winter," Dunn said. "Now, as we move into individual instruction, I think we have set that base and we now know what areas our kids need to work on and we can really focus on individual improvement."

In Thursday night's scrimmage, the Red team took a 1-0 lead when freshman Charley Boring drove in a run in the top of the third inning. In the bottom of the third, sophomore Stephen Ballard and junior Trey Hayes drove in a run each to put the Blue team ahead for good at 2-1.

Dunn said the Bulldogs enter fall practice with the starter at several positions still undecided.

"Michael Johnson proved he will be our shortstop and Wayne Miller proved he will be our center fielder," Dunn said. "But, other than those two guys, I think the parity is there right now. I hope guys separate themselves, but the encouraging thing is I think we have options at most every position."

Samford opens the 2009 season on Feb. 20, when the Bulldogs play host to Kennesaw State in a three-game series at Joe Lee Griffin Field.