Feb. 24, 2002

Box Score

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. - The Samford softball team completed a successful Sonic Challenge on Sunday as the Bulldogs posted a 4-2 record to improve to 10-9 on the season.

The Bulldogs were 4-0 coming into Sunday's action against Evansville and Kentucky. Samford defeated Western Kentucky and Belmont on Friday and then took a 6-3 victory over Loyola of Chicago and a 7-0 victory over Liberty on Saturday. Evansville defeated the Bulldogs 3-1 in the opener on Sunday and Kentucky downed the Bulldogs 10-0 in the night cap.

Chattanooga natives Janet Middleton and Kelly Smith enjoyed their homecomings. Middleton hit .444 (8-18) with a home run, three doubles and five RBI. Smith led the team in batting .600 (6-10) with a double. Angela Bednark hit .375 (6-16) with two doubles, a home run, and five RBI. Michelle Wright and Dana Saffles each batted .333 for the tournament, Wright went 6-18 with two doubles and one RBI. Saffles went 3-9 with a triple and three RBI.

Erin Landsburg took both losses on Sunday but finished the tournament with a 2-2 record and a 2.47 ERA. She is now 5-6 on the year.

Abi Casillo led off the Evansville game with a solo home run in the bottom of the first inning. Evansville responded with three runs in the top of the second inning to take a 3-1 lead. The Bulldogs had a chance to get back into the game in the sixth but Casillo was thrown out at the plate after a single by Middleton.

The Bulldogs finished the tournament in a fourth place tie with Evansville. Kentucky, Western Kentucky and Chattanooga took the top three spots.

Samford will return to action on Wednesday when they travel to Normal, Ala., for a double header against Alabama A&M.