May 8, 2008

Box Score

JACKSONVILLE, Ala. - In the first round of the 2008 Ohio Valley Conference Tournament, the Samford University softball team rallied to score five runs in the final two innings of play to earn an exciting 8-6 victory against the third-seeded Eastern Kentucky Colonels.

With the come-from-behind victory, Samford (24-27) remained in the winner's bracket of the six-team competition and moved on to face second-seed Morehead State (33-14) at 3 p.m., Thursday at Jacksonville State's University Field.

In the Bulldogs' 8-6 win against the Colonels, sophomore Amanda Barrs went 3-for-4, scored a run and also drove in a run. Samford pounded out 13 hits in the game and tied a season-high in the category. The Bulldogs' Jessica Owens turned in a 2-for-5 performance at the plate, while Katie England went 2-for-4 and Amanda Jordan was 2-for-3.

Eastern Kentucky (28-21) held a 6-3 lead heading into the top of the sixth inning.

With Samford batting in the sixth frame, the Bulldogs rallied to score four runs on two hits to take a 7-6 advantage. Samford's winning run was scored by senior Jeslyn Metcalf on a wild pitch.

In the top of the seventh inning, the Bulldogs extended their lead to 8-6 as junior Kristy Lawrence blasted a deep solo home run to left center field. The home run was Lawrence's third of the 2008 campaign.

Samford's Kayla Burris (8-7) only pitched to two batters in the game, but was the pitcher of record when the Bulldogs exploded for their four-run rally. Barrs, who started the game in the circle, re-entered after Samford took its lead and picked up her first save of the season.

Eastern Kentucky's Kalyn Fox (8-6) was handed the loss. She allowed four earned runs and gave up 13 hits.

The Samford University softball team will next be in action Thurday at 3 p.m., as the Bulldogs square off against the second-seeded Morehead State Eagles at Jacksonville State's University Field.