Samford Sports Goes 2-1 on the Day

For probably the first time in history, Samford Football, Basketball, and Baseball all played on the same day. Samford Baseball and Samford Women's Basketball accounted for the wins while Samford Football dropped their first game of the season to ETSU in Johnson City, TN.

Women's Basketball

A full recap of the game can be found here.

Football

For just the second time in program history, Samford (0-1) lost to ETSU (1-0), with today's score ending in a 24-17 defeat. Both teams were relatively even throughout the game as Samford's offense accounted for 320 yards while ETSU gained 325. Samford moved the chains well in the first half, resulting in a total 25 first downs for the entire game while ETSU only gained 16. The biggest difference between the Bulldogs and Buccaneers was the penalty game. While it was a clean game with only 4 penalties called against each team, Samford racked up 47 penalty yards while ETSU's penalties only gave the Bulldogs an extra 15 yards.

How it Happened

Samford raced out to a 14 point lead in the first quarter, with ETSU punching it in just before halftime. Samford allowed 7 points in the 3rd Quarter and 10 points in the 4th while only putting 3 on the board for themselves with a 34 yard field goal in the 3rd. At the end of the 4th Quarter, Samford had the ball inside the ETSU 30 with a 2nd and 10 when ETSU's Manuel stepped in front of a Chris Oladokun (222 yards passing, 1 TD, 2 INT) pass and kneeled it down to end the game.

What's Next

Samford will return home to face Western Carolina. Kickoff is set for 12 pm Central and will be streamed via ESPN+, or you can follow the live stats found on the team's twitter page: @SamfordFootball. Due to COVID-19, there will not be a Bulldog walk and there will not be any University condoned tailgating.

Baseball

Coach Casey Dunn earned his 500th win this afternoon as the Bulldogs won after facing a 4-0 deficit. Samford racked up 5 hits and 2 walks on the day, with 3 extra base hits (2 doubles and one home run). UT Martin reached base 7 times via 6 hits and 1 walk. The four Samford pitchers struck out 11 Skyhawk batters over the game.

How it Happened

UT Marin started out of the gate hot scoring 2 in the first inning and later tacking on 2 more in the 3rd. After the 3rd inning, the Skyhawks reached base only once due to a throwing error against the Bulldogs. After an unearned run in the 4th gave the Bulldogs their first run and a Will David double brought home the 2nd run of the day, Samford First Baseman Sonny hammered Samford's first home run of the year, clearing the wall in Left-Center Field and landing somewhere in the middle of the trees in front of the West Campus Dorms. Third Baseman Taylor Garris drove in what ended up being the winning run with a 2 out single, bringing home Ledbetter, who was responsible for the game tying 2 out double over the Right Fielder's head.

Jesse McCord got the nod from Coach Dunn, going 4.0 IP, facing 20 batters, allowing 4 earned runs and striking out 7 Skyhawks. Blake Bortak pitched 2.0 IP, facing one more than the minimum, striking out 1 and not allowing a hit. Gene Hurst came in for the 7th and 8th and was given the win after going 2.0 IP, striking out 3 and walking 1. Carson Hobbs shut the door on the Skyhawks after coming in for the 9th inning where he faced the minimum (2 ground outs to Shortstop and the final out coming from a fly out to Left Field ). Hobbs earned the game's save. Skyhawk reliever Wohlbold was tagged with the loss after going 2.0 IP, allowing 3 runs on 4 hits, striking out 2. The Skyhawk catcher had a busy day behind the plat as SP Folks threw one wild pitch and reliever Insco added 2 more on the day.

What's Next

Samford will go for the sweep tomorrow afternoon as the teams face off for the third time in as many days. First pitch is set for 1pm Central. Follow the team on Twitter @SamfordBaseball for game updates and video highlights.