Feb. 16, 2002

Box Score

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Freshman Kelly Smith had a two-RBI single in the eighth inning to lift Samford University to a 2-0 victory over Wagner College at the Samford Invitational Saturday afternoon.

Samford's Amber Fuller and Wagner's Krystle Petty found themselves in a pitching duel through seven innings. Petty (1-1) pitched her way out of a second and third situation in the first inning but then pitched seven strong innings giving up six hits and fanning seven. Fuller (2-2) pitched her second-straight shut out throwing eight innings giving up just three hits and fanned five.

The International Tie-breaker went into effect in the eighth inning. Dana Saffles was placed at second base. Sarah Godfrey failed to sacrifice her to third, but pinch hitter Abi Casillo came through with a single up the middle to put Bulldogs at first and third with one out. Fuller walked to load the bases. Petty struck out Rebekah Phillips and looked to be out of the inning when Smith hit a Texas-leaguer to short left field, but the ball dropped behind shortstop Lynn Shortway and in front of left fielder Marie Bianca. Saffles and Casillo scored for the only runs of the game.

In the first game of the day, Wagner (2-2) hammered Alabama State 13-0. Katie Refsnyder pitched a no-hitter facing the minimum 15-batters over five innings. The only ASU player to reach base reached on an error but was caught trying to steal. Bianca went 2-2 with three RBI, Natalie Stollmeyer went 2-4 with two RBI, and Vestavia Hills native Rebecca Shields had a bases clearing double in a seven run second inning for the Seahawks.

The final game of the day between Samford (3-5) and Alabama State (0-3) had to be halted in the fifth inning as the lights at Bulldog Field went out. The game will be resumed with Samford leading 16-0 on Sunday. Angela Bednark hit a grand slam home run in a 10-run first inning for the Bulldogs. Bednark has tied Michelle Ashley's career home run record. She has already hit five this season after hitting five all of last year.

Sunday's schedule will be Wagner vs. Alabama State at 11 a.m. Samford vs. Wagner at 1 p.m. Then Samford and Alabama State will resume the today's halted game prior to their scheduled 3 p.m. game.