Feb. 15, 2002

Box Score

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The Samford Bulldogs hit four home runs including a grand slam by freshman Kelly Smith to beat Wagner College 8-0 to conclude a successful opening day of the 2002 Samford Invitational Friday night.

Smith's blast highlighted a five-run second inning for the Bulldogs against Wagner (1-1) starter Bridgette Colleran (0-1). Janet Middleton led the inning off with a solo home run, which was the ninth of her career. After two walks and an error, Smith connected on the first home run of her college career. Angela Bednark hit a solo home run off the scoreboard in right center field in the third inning to make the score 6-0. Bednark then ended the game with a two-run home run to center field in the fifth inning. Samford (2-5) had six hits off Seahawk pitching, four of them left the yard. Bednark has hit four homers in the first seven games of the season. The school record is eight, set last year by Michelle Ashley. Bednark and Middleton each have nine career home runs which ties them for second place with Juliet Shunnarah on Samford's all-time list just one behind Ashley's school record of 10.

In the first game, Samford defeated Alabama State (0-2) 11-0. Middleton was the offensive hero as she went 3-3 with two doubles and two RBI. Bednark had a two-RBI single as the Bulldogs scored two runs each in the third, fifth, and sixth innings. Tammy Stevens had a two-RBI hit and Mindy Shunnarah drove in a run in the five-run seventh inning rally. Amber Fuller went 3-5 with two runs scored and threw a two-hit shutout in the circle. Fuller (1-2) struck out 13 batters in seven innings of work only giving up two singles to Keneshia McKee.

Erin Landsburg (1-3) threw a three-hit shutout against Wagner. After a shaky first inning were she got out of a bases loaded jam where she gave up two hits and a walk, Landsburg was in complete control giving up just one hit and striking out four over the final four innings.

The Tournament opened with Wagner defeated Alabama State 8-0. Natalie Stollmeyer hit a two-run home run to highlight a four run third inning for the Seahawks. Wagner took advantage of four ASU errors to score three unearned runs. Krystle Petty (1-0) picked up the win pitching a one-hit shutout over five innings and striking our six batters.

The Tournament will continue on Saturday with Wagner and Alabama State opening the action at Noon. Samford will face Wagner at 2 p.m. and Alabama State at 4 p.m.