Perfection! Samford Sports Goes 4-0 (6-0?) on the Day

For the second time in as many days, history was made here at Samford University as Baseball, Softball, and Volleyball all played (and won) on the same day. Baseball completed the sweep of UT Martin, Softball came from behind in both games against in-state rival Jacksonville State to sweep the day, and Volleyball defeated UNCG in straight sets in the state of North Carolina.

Baseball

Zach Hester started on the hill today, going 2 full innings, allowing three runners on two base knocks, one earned run was tacked to Hester. Hamp Skinner got the win as he came out of the pen, shoving for 5 innings and striking out 8 batters, allowing only one Skyhawk runner. Chase Isbell then got the final six outs of the game (5 of them coming as Ks) and earning the save. UT Martin reliever Baylor Jones was tagged with the loss after allowing Sonny DiChiara's second long shot of the series and year in the bottom frame of the 6th.

Towns King led the Bulldog offense with 2 of the Bulldogs' 6 hits. Sonny DiChiara, Carson Allison, and Towns King each crossed the plate once in the game. On the day, 4 Bulldogs were stranded and 5 were forced to grab some pine ( in comparison, 3 Skyhawks were left on the base path and 15 were forced to go back to the end of the line).

Samford Baseball will return for their first mid-week game on Tuesday as they do battle with Alabama State. First pitch is currently set for 4pm. The Bulldogs hold a 10-2 record over the Hornets and is currently riding a 3 game win streak dating back to 4/3/18.

Softball

Samford needed all 7 innings and then some in game one of the day's double header where, after tying the game with a single to Center Field, Whitney Hinton beat the throw home after a perfectly executed squeeze bunt by O'Neil Roberson. SOCON Preseason Pitcher of the year Abby Swaney (1-1) went the distance in the circle, going 9.0 innings and striking out 11 and walking 2. Swaney was in the circle for all 4 of the Gamecocks' runs, but only one was earned. In the 5th inning, Hinton tied the program record of 35 career home runs

In the second game, Samford spotted JSU 2 runs in the top of the 4th, and then scratched one back in the 5th before exploding for 4 runs in the 6th. Roberson drove in her 2nd steak of the day in the 5th, scoring CF Mekhi Mayfield, but Ryan Brzozoski was cut down at the plate as she tried to even the game. In the 6th, Timberlyn Shurbutt had 3 ducks on the pond with 2 retired when she launched a nuke over the Left-Centerfield fence to put the Bulldogs ahead for good. Emily Barnett relieved starting pitcher Taylor DeCelles after 3.1 innings where DeCelles allowed 2 earned runs, striking out 2 and walking one. Barnett (1-0) took the final 3.2 innings and the win, allowing no runs on no hits, striking out 2 and walking one Gamecock.

Samford's next home game(s) will be this weekend as the Bulldogs host the Samford Tournament, involving the UNI Panthers, the ULM Warhawks, and the Samford Bulldogs. Samford plays UNI Friday afternoon at 4, then plays ULM at 1 on Saturday followed by UNI again at 4, and then the Bulldogs will cap the weekend against ULM for a Sunday matinee at 2pm. Due to COVID social distancing, the stands are closed to the general public, so get to the West Campus parking deck early and bundle up.

Volleyball

Samford (6-1) swept SOCON foe UNCG in straight sets 26-24, 25-20, and 25-16. Lauren Deaton led the Bulldogs with 17 kills and 2 blocks, Sierra Rayzor added on 10 more kills, matched the 2 blocks, and tacked on an ace. Corinne Meglic added to her SOCON leading assist total, bringing it up to 303 assists on the season. Samford will be back in action tomorrow as they face UNCG again away from the friendly confines of the Pete Hanna Center. Tomorrow's game is slated to start at 4pm Central. Samford sits alone at the top of the standings with a 0.5 game advantage over Mercer (I feel like I've seen that before) while UNCG (0-7) sits alone at the bottom of the standings, having yet to win a match.

NOTE: This was supposed to be posted Sunday, February 21