Feb. 15, 2007

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The Samford University softball team will compete in the Georgia Southern University Tournament this weekend as the Bulldogs begin play Friday against Georgia Southern at 9:30 a.m., and Charleston Southern at 2:30 p.m.

Samford (2-2) heads into the three-day competition looking to build upon its solid season-opening performance last week in the prestigious Seminole Classic.

In four games held at Florida State's JoAnne Graf Field, the Bulldogs used wins against Radford, 7-3, and Florida A&M, 3-0, to advance to the championship matchup of the four-team event. Both of Samford's losses in the competition came against No. 22 Florida State.

Following their performances in the Seminole Classic, the Bulldogs' Jenna Dempski and Stephanie Royall swept the Ohio Valley Conference's weekly awards Monday.

Dempski earned all-tournament honors at the Seminole Classic after leading Samford to the championship game of the two-day event. She turned in a 2-for-3 performance against Florida State on Feb. 9, and finished the game with an RBI.

A native of Round Rock, Texas, Dempski doubled and walked in the Bulldogs 3-0 victory over Florida A&M on Feb. 10, as she went 1-for-2 at the plate. Dempski also extended her hitting streak to five straight games. Royall was also named to the Seminole Classic All-Tournament team after compiling a 2-1 record in the tourney.

She earned a two-hit, complete game victory against Florida A&M on Feb. 10, as she tallied nine strikeouts and only allowed three baserunners. Royall also paced the Bulldogs to another complete game victory against Radford in the team's season-opener.

A sophomore from Mill Valley, Calif., Royall finished the weekend with a 2.95 earned run averaged while striking out 17 and only walking three batters.

Georgia Southern (0-3), Samford's first opponent Friday, is coming off an 11-2 loss against Florida State on Tuesday. The Eagles opened the season at Georgia Tech and suffered 7-2 and 8-0 losses.

Charleston Southern (1-1) will square off against the Bulldogs at 2:30 p.m., on Friday.

The Lady Bucs also opened their 2007 season last week and split a doubleheader against Mars Hill College. Charleston Southern dropped the opener, 7-5, but then rebounded for a 2-1 victory in the nightcap. The Lady Bucs are scheduled to host North Dakota State in a doubleheader Thursday night.

The Samford University softball team will continue play in its 2007 campaign Friday with a pair of games at the Georgia Southern Invitational. The Bulldogs are scheduled to play Georgia Southern at 9:30 a.m., and Charleston Southern at 2:30 p.m.