March 14, 2008

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - After rainy and cold weather forced the Samford softball team to cancel its last five games, the Bulldogs will finally end their nine-day layoff Saturday as they host the Austin Peay Lady Govs in an Ohio Valley Conference-opening doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m., at Bulldog Field.

Fans unable to attend Saturday's games in person can listen live to Samford's broadcast on WVSU 91.1 FM or via the internet at www.samford.edu/groups/wvsu/sports.

"We're excited about starting conference play," said Samford head coach Beanie Ketcham. "The conference season is where the fun really begins and we've been using all of these pre-league games to prepare ourselves for this time of year. This is where the rubber meets the road and this is when we need to put everything together. Our players are excited to get back on the field and they're ready to get moving."

Samford (8-12) heads into conference play with high expectations after being picked fourth in the OVC's annual preseason poll. The Bulldogs finished the 2007 campaign with a 15-11 league record and earned a third-place position in the final standings.

In Saturday's doubleheader, Samford will look to overcome a three-game losing streak. The Bulldogs' previous three matchups have ended in defeats against UAB 4-3, Georgia Southern 8-0 and Auburn 7-3.

So far this season, Samford holds an 0-5 record at home at Bulldog Field. In neutral contests, the Bulldogs are 7-5 this season, while they own a 1-2 mark on the road.

Samford was scheduled to play five games at the 2008 Georgia Tech Buzz Classic over the weekend, but every game of the three-day competition was canceled due to rain and cold weather. The Bulldogs' last played March 5 at home against Auburn.

"I don't think that the time off has necessarily been bad, but it did keep us from trying out some new defensive alignments," said Ketcham. "Obviously, we've been practicing a lot in preparation for this weekend and that's been good. I just think that it would have been nice to have been able to compete some in pressure situations."

Austin Peay (3-10) travels to Birmingham having lost six of its previous seven games.

Since beating Louisiana Tech on March 7, the Lady Govs have suffered defeats against Charleston Southern 4-3 and 9-2, No. 18 Mississippi State 3-1, Belmont 12-9 and 11-1, and Kentucky Wesleyan 5-0. Austin Peay's most recent victory occurred Wednesday in the first game of a doubleheader against Kentucky Wesleyan 6-0.

Last season, Austin Peay finished conference play with a 12-15 record. The Lady Govs were picked ninth in the 2008 OVC preseason poll.

"Coach (Jim) Perrin has done a great job with Austin Peay since he's taken over," said Ketcham. "They've gotten better and better each year, but the scouting report on them this season is that they are young. In conference play, you can't take anybody for granted because everybody comes out ready to compete. There's a lot on the line in OVC play and we know that Austin Peay is going to come out and play their best."

Samford owns a 24-11 all-time record versus Austin Peay.

Last season, the teams finished with a 2-2 mark against each other. The Bulldogs took two out of three games on the road in Clarksville, Tenn., but the Lady Govs picked up a 2-0 victory in the opening round of the 2007 OVC Tournament.

From 2004-06, Samford reeled off six-straight victories against Austin Peay.

So far this season, the Bulldogs have been led offensively by junior Jessica Owens. Owens is a three-year starter at left field and currently leads the team with a .375 batting average. She is in the midst of a career-high 10-game hitting streak and has already scored 13 runs this season.

"Jessica has definitely been a sparkplug for us this season," said Ketcham. "One of the best things about her is that she has a lot of power for a slap hitter. Therefore, the outfield really has to respect her and she is very good in pressure situations when it comes to driving in runs."

Following Saturday's OVC doubleheader, Samford will conclude its three-game set against Austin Peay at 1 p.m., Sunday at Bulldog Field.

GameTracker - Samford vs. Austin Peay - Game One
GameTracker - Samford vs. Austin Peay - Game Two
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