Feb. 14, 2002

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -

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The Samford softball team will open up its home schedule this weekend as it hosts Wagner College and Alabama State in the three-day Samford Invitational at Bulldog Field this weekend.

The Bulldog bats got off to a slow start last week against very good competition at the Bama Bash in Tuscaloosa. Samford fell to Evansville, Maryland and #13 Alabama. Sophomore Angela Bednark hit a pair of solo home runs to give her seven for her career moving her into a tie for fourth place on the Samford career home run list. Michelle Wright also has hit seven home runs in her career. The Samford career record is 10 held by Michelle Ashley. Mindy Shunnarah had the Bulldogs only other extra base hit. Her double against Alabama not only broke up a no-hitter, but moved her one double away from third on the all-time doubles list. She now has 23 career two-baggers.

Wagner College opens up its 2002 season this weekend. The Seahawks went 20-15-1 last season. This tournament is the only February tournament Wagner will play in. Their next games will be on March 9, against Holy Cross and St. Francis. Marie Bianca and Amanda Bongiorno each received Northeast Conference Second-Team honors last season as freshmen. Bianca led the Seahawks in nine different offensive categories including batting average (.347), and runs scored (23). Bongiorno hit .260 batting with four homers and 13 RBI last season.

Alabama State also opens up its 2002 season this weekend. ASU went 34-14 last season and finished second in the South Western Athletic Conference. Alabama State had a 27-5 conference record, but only went 7-9 against non-conference opponents.

All games will be played at Bulldog Field on Samford's campus. The tournament begins Friday at 2 p.m. with Alabama State and Wagner doing battle. Samford will face Alabama State at 4 p.m. and then Wagner at 6 p.m. On Saturday, Wagner and Alabama State will again begin the day at Noon. Samford will then face Wagner at 2 p.m. and ASU at 4 p.m. Sunday's games will begin at 11 a.m. with Wagner and Alabama State. Samford will play Wagner at 1 p.m. and the Samford will face Alabama State at 3 p.m. in the final game of the tournament.