The Samford Softball team split a Sunday doubleheader with Tennessee Tech this past weekend. The Bulldogs edged the Golden Eagles by a score of 11-8 in the first game, while Tennessee Tech was able to secure a 9-5 victory in the second game of the afternoon.
The first game featured quite an offensive showing from both teams, as the teams combined for 19 runs on 19 hits. The Bulldogs jumped out to an early 7-0 lead and never looked back.
For Samford, sophomore Taylor DeCelles got the start on the mound and threw 3 ⅔ innings, allowing seven runs on five hits. She also added three strikeouts and three walks to her performance. Freshman McKenna Gillespie pitched in relief, throwing 3 ⅓ innings for Samford. She gave up one run while only allowing two hits and two walks.
At the plate for Samford, senior Shelby Maze and junior Kelsey Royalty both had outstanding days at the plate, registering three hits each. Royalty added three RBIs, while junior Hannah Trombley added three RBIs as well. She blasted a three-run homer, her team-leading third of the season. Senior Lexie Higgins, redshirt sophomore Lauren Lewis, sophomore Whitney Hinton and freshman Ryan Brzozoski each added hits to the Bulldogs’ total on the day.
For the Golden Eagles, sophomore Raegan Sparks had two hits and three RBIs at the plate. Junior Hallie Davis added a solo home run for Tennessee Tech at the plate. Senior Taylor Waldrop pitched a complete game, giving up eleven runs on twelve hits while striking out four Samford batters.
In game two of the double-header, another high scoring contest saw the two teams combine for 21 hits and 14 runs, while only striking out three times.
The game was tied at 2-2 in the second inning, before the Golden Eagles used a three-run fifth inning and a four-run sixth inning to solidify their lead. Samford would add three runs to put the score at 9-5, which is how the game would end.
For the Bulldogs, Trombley hit her second home run of the day, bringing in two RBIs. Maze and Higgins each had two-hit games while adding one RBI each. Junior Madison Couch added two hits at the plate. Brzozoski, Hinton and Lewis added one hit a piece for the game.
On the mound, junior Annalyn Yantis pitched five innings, surrendering five runs on six hits while striking out one Tennessee Tech batter. Freshman Emily Barnett came in for Yantis in relief, who was credited with the loss. Barnett allowed four runs on five hits in her one inning of relief.
For Tennessee Tech, freshman Sydney Love-Baker had a three-hit game at the plate, while Raegan Sparks added four RBIs to the Golden Eagles’ run total. Freshman Taylor Thomas added two hits at the plate. On the mound, sophomore Kayla Hughes pitched the Golden Eagles’ second complete game of the day, allowing five runs on ten hits while striking out two Samford batters.
After the series, Samford sits at a record of 3-14 for the year, while Tennessee Tech moves to 4-14 on the season. The Samford softball team has upcoming home games against Fort Wayne (March 6) and a double-header against Alabama State (March 7).
Collin Reese, Staff Writer
[photo of Kelsey Royalty | photo courtesy of Chase Cochran]
