Nov. 11, 2008

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. ---- The Samford University softball team wrapped up fall play this weekend with three scrimmage games against local community colleges. In contests with Bevill State, Northwest Shoals and Gadsden State, the Bulldogs played 25 innings, scoring in excess of 30 runs and allowing only five.

Sophomore pitcher Kayla Burris logged the most time in the circle due to an injury-laden pitching staff. She pitched a complete shut-out win against Gadsden State on Friday, pitching eight full innings and allowing only six hits while striking out eight batters.

Burris started Saturday's match-up against Bevill State and pitched three complete innings before being relieved by freshmen position player, Amy Gonzalez, after the Bulldogs jumped out of to an early 12-1 lead. Burris struck out three and gave up two hits, including a solo homerun in the top of the third inning. Gonzalez pitched four innings, giving up two unearned runs, three hits and four walks. The Bulldogs defeated Bevill State 15-3, putting up 14 hits, including homeruns by Katie England and Amanda Jordan and seven innings of play.

Saturday night, the Bulldogs played nine complete innings, beating Northwest Shoals, 13-2. Burris carried the weight for Samford in the circle once again, pitching eight innings before being relieved by another freshman position player, Tessa Frates. Tessa pitched a scoreless ninth inning, sending Northwest Shoals packing in order with no runs on no hits. Burris' spotless eighth inning was marred by two unearned runs on one of only two errors the Bulldogs committed on the weekend. The error came with two outs and runners on second and third in the fourth. Those were the only two runs that Samford would surrender in the nine-inning scrimmage. Burris pitched eight complete innings, giving up three hits, three walks and striking out seven.

"Burris had a good weekend," Samford head coach Beanie Ketcham said. "She did a good job of keeping the ball down and changing speeds. Opposing hitters never got their timing. She only gave up three extra base hits on the weekend. She has carried the weight for us this fall with three pitchers on the DL. She will get a much needed break as practice comes to a close this Saturday."

Burris was backed up with solid defensive play over the weekend. The trio of scrimmages was a good opportunity for the Bulldogs to gain confidence in their running defense and players were able to gain experience in their primary and secondary positions.

Senior all-conference candidate, Jessica Owens, made a spectacular diving catch in the outfield this weekend, a task that has come to be an expectation for the Fort Walton Beach, Fla., native. As she has for the past three seasons, Owens is expected to be a key component of the Bulldogs' offensive attack.

Sophomore outfielder Aaren Fisher continues to be on fire in the batter's box, but like her teammate Owens, Fisher's most exciting play of the weekend came in her defensive role. After making a catch in the outfield, she threw out a would-be run at the plate with a strike from centerfield. Kristie Lawrence, who has proven to be a very steady hand at first base, also made a nice running catch on a foul ball close to the fence in the contest with Northwest Shoals.

Overall, the Bulldog defense was solid, committing only two errors on the weekend. Every available player saw action and each of the players worked at multiple positions this weekend.

"The weekend was a solid performance with an opportunity to see lots of combinations of players and to practice varied defensive strategies in a scrimmage situation," Samford defensive coordinator John Garris said. "These opportunities will pay great dividends as we head into the inaugural season in the Southern Conference."

On the offensive side of the ball, the Bulldogs racked up over 40 hits on the weekend and scored more than 30 runs. As a team, Samford hit five homeruns - Katie England hit two (three overall for the fall), Amanda Jordan knocked out her first two of the year and Aaren Fisher also grabbed her first of the year.

Whitney Terry led the charge for Samford hitting over .700 and racking up eight RBI. Kylie Harmon, Jessica Owens and Amy Gonzalez hit over .500 as well while Kristy Lawrence picked up five hits and a couple of RBI. The Bulldog offense also scored in multiple innings during each game.

"We were pleased overall this weekend by our offensive production," Samford hitting coach Erin Gallagher said. "The players seemed to see the ball well and were disciplined to pick good pitches. We met many of our goals offensively in having quality at-bats and in the execution of game strategy. We can see their confidence really improving, and I think the biggest factors are their attention to detail and their implementation of mental strategies."

"We are getting good leadership out of our seniors Kylie Harmon, Kristy Lawrence and Jessica Owens," Ketcham said. "We also have an experienced junior class, three of whom have red-shirted and are seniors academically. This team is a veteran team with good leadership at the top. The team has consistently improved this fall so we should see a high level of carry-over to the spring. In addition, we will get four players off the DL by January and hope that they will be able to contribute in a meaningful way as we begin our journey in the SoCon."

The Bulldogs will begin preseason play at home on Feb. 8 with a contest against Mississippi Valley State. The Bulldogs will then participate in six tournaments, two of which Samford will play in Birmingham. The Bulldogs will then kick off league action on the road at Appalachian State, March 14-15.