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April 9, 2002

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The Samford Softball team opens an 8-game Atlantic Sun home stand on Tuesday with a double header against Mercer at 4 p.m., at Bulldog Field.

The Bulldogs (15-21, 0-6 A-Sun) ended an eight-game losing streak with a double-header sweep against Elon on Saturday. They will try to carry that momentum over against a team they have beaten more than any other opponent. The Bulldogs have an 18-7 overall record against Mercer and have won the last five meetings.

Janet Middleton, Samford's career record holder in hits, doubles, and RBI continues her pursuit of .400. She enters this week's action with a .404 average. She has hit .472 at home this season with seven doubles, three home runs, and 12 RBI. Angela Bednark is batting .469 at home this season with four home runs and 15 RBI. The rest of the Bulldogs are batting just .231 with the next leading hitters, Mindy Shunnarah and Michelle Wright, batting .267.

Mercer (19-230, 2-4 A-Sun) snapped a four-game losing streak by taking the final game of a double header against UCF on Sunday. Amy Parbon leads the Bears with a .293 batting average she has 11 doubles, a home run, and 15 RBI. Stacy Nagel supplies the power in the lineup. She has 12 home runs, 31 RBI, and is batting .262 on the season.

The home stand will continue on Thursday and Friday as No. 11 Florida Atlantic and UCF come to town. FAU is the five-time defending conference champion while UCF is in its first year of fast pitch. The home stand concludes next Tuesday as Samford plays host to Belmont. All games are double headers and will begin at 4 p.m.