Feb. 28, 2003

Box Score

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. - Sophomore Kelly Smith had a pair of doubles and the game-winning RBI on a sacrifice fly and senior Michelle Wright added a two-run home run as Samford defeated Western Kentucky 6-5 in the first game of the UTC/Sonic Challenge Friday morning.

The Bulldogs (2-1) jumped ahead, 1-0, in the third inning after Smith led off with a double, followed by an RBI single from Bridgette Smith.

The Hilltoppers took the lead in the bottom of the third, as senior Kristalyn Smith opened the inning with a lead-off double to center field and scored on a single up the middle by Shelly Floyd. A throwing error by Samford's catcher as Floyd took second, allowed her to score on the play, putting Western ahead 2-1.

Wright's first home run of the season in the top of the fifth off gave the Bulldogs a short lived 3-2 lead. Floyd answered with her second home run of the season in the bottom of the fifth, a three-run shot to put WKU on top 5-3.

Smith added her second double of the day in the top of the sixth, jump starting a rally as Samford tacked on two more runs to even the score at 5-5. The Bulldogs put their first two runners on base in the top of the seventh and scored the go-ahead run when Erin Landsburg scored on a sacrific fly from Smith.

Amber Fuller (1-0) picked up the win for the Bulldogs who will play Akron this afternoon in their second game of the day.