March 22, 2002

Box Score

GAINESVILLE, Fla. - The Samford softball team had not played a game in 13-days before the Gator Invitational on Friday and it showed as the Bulldogs could not produce a run in its first two losses against Wisconsin and Florida.

In the first game, Samford (12-13) faced the No. 25 ranked Wisconsin Badgers. Badger starter Andrea Kirtchberg (9-6) held the Bulldogs to just one hit and two walks while striking out 10 batters leading Wisconsin to a 3-0 victory. Samford's only scoring chance came in the second inning as Janet Middleton singled and Dana Saffles walked to put runners at first and second with one out, but the Bulldogs could not produce the big hit.

Wisconsin (16-7) scored an unearned run in the third inning and in the sixth, Sheena Padovan and Kirtchberg had RBI-singles go give the Badgers their margin of victory. Erin Landsburg took the loss for Samford to fall to 6-9 on the season. She threw six innings giving up two earned runs struck out one and walked no one.

Defense let the Bulldogs down in their second game against Florida (15-21). Samford committed six errors in the 4-0 loss. Amber Fuller took the loss despite giving up only five hits and striking out seven. Kelli Smith had two of the Bulldogs five hits. Middleton extended her hitting streak to seven straight games.

Amanda Knowles (6-6) picked up the win for Florida pitching seven shutout innings giving up five hits and fanning four batters. The Gators scored an unearned run in the first and added two more runs in the second to take a 3-0 lead. Samford head coach Mark Voisard was ejected in the first inning after the umpires allowed Florida runners to advance when time should have been called.

Samford will play two more games on Saturday. It will face Maine at 11 a.m. ET and then the teams will be seeded 1-4 and play off to see who will play in the championship and consolation games on Sunday.