April 9, 2002

Box Score

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Samford scored three runs in the first inning of game one and four runs in the first inning of game two and then turned the games over to its starting pitchers who allow just one run a game as Samford swept an Atlantic Sun Conference softball double header against Mercer 4-1 and 7-1 on Tuesday.

The sweep gives the Bulldogs a four-game winning streak and moves Samford to 17-21 overall while Mercer drops to 19-15 overall. Both teams are now 2-6 in the Atlantic Sun.

Samford took advantage of three Mercer errors in the first inning of game one. Janet Middleton had an RBI-ground out which scored Amber Fuller who reached on an error. Angela Bednark had an RBI-single to score Dana Saffles. Bednark then scored from third on an error by the Mercer shortstop to give Samford an early 3-0 lead. The Bulldogs picked up an insurance run in the fourth inning, when Saffles stole home in a first and third situation.

That was all the support Erin Landsburg would need to improve to 9-13 on the year. Landsburg pitched seven innings giving up one run on four hits and struck out two batters.

Mercer's only run came in the second inning, Kristi Montgomery singled home Stacy Nagel from third base with two outs. Montgomery took the loss in the circle in game one pitching 4.2 giving up four runs but only one was earned on nine hits.

The first inning was again the big inning in the nightcap. Fuller was hit by a pitch, stole second, and scored on an RBI-single by Michelle Dickey. Samford then loaded the bases with one out, Mindy Shunnarah hit a ball to third-base that was fielded cleanly, but the throw to the plate was wild which allowed two runs to score. Sarah Godfrey had an RBI-groundout to score Kelly Smith and give Samford a 4-0 lead.

Mercer got one run back in the fourth inning when Nikki Bowey hit a long home run over the left-centerfield fence. The Bulldogs responded with two runs in the bottom of the fourth. Bednark laced a RBI-double that scored Godfrey from first base. Bednark and Fuller then pulled off a double steal to score Bednark from third base. Tammy Stevens added an RBI-single in the sixth inning to make the final score 7-1.

Fuller went 3-6 from the plate in the two games and scored two runs. She took the circle in the second game and pitched a complete game giving up one run on six hits and fanning three batters. She improves to 8-8 on the season. Stephanee Finger took the loss for Mercer pitching four innings and giving up six runs, four earned, and striking out four batters.

Samford returns to action on Thursday as it host No.11 Florida Atlantic in a double-header that begins at 4 p.m.