Oct. 11, 2001

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The Samford softball team finished the 2001 season winning seven of its last nine games on way to a third place finish in the Trans America Athletic Conference Tournament. The Bulldogs are already back to work hoping to make another run for the conference crown in 2002.

Samford began its fall workouts on Sept. 29, by defeating the University of Alabama-Huntsville and Jefferson State College. The Bulldogs will return to the field this weekend to compete in the UAB Fall Classic against UAB, Birmingham-Southern, and Okaloosa Walton Community College. Of course, none of the results from the fall count towards the spring record but the fall gives the Samford coaches a chance to see the returning players and the newcomers play together for the first time.

Samford returns nine players and seven starters from last year's team that finished 26-37 and 8-6 in conference. Seniors Mindy Shunnarah, Michelle Dickey, Janet Middleton, and Rebekah Phillips will lead an experienced Bulldog team into 2002. Nine of the 15 players on the roster are juniors and seniors and three sophomores, Angela Bednark, Erin Landsburg, and Abi Casillo were voted to the TAAC all-freshmen team last year. There are only two freshmen joining the team this season, Stacey Atkinson from Marietta, Ga., and Kelly Smith from Chattanooga, Tenn. Samford has added four junior college transfers, Amber Fuller, Deanna Resmondo, Dana Saffles, and Tammy Stevens. Michelle Wright who led the team with a school-record 18 doubles and 20 RBI will return for her junior season.

The Bulldogs will open the regular season on February 8-10 at the University of Alabama tournament, but you can see the Bulldogs in action in Birmingham this fall beginning this weekend at George Ward Park.

Fall 2001 Softball Schedule