March 15, 2002

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Freshman shortstop Eli Iorg drove in three runs in game one to lead Samford to a come from behind 5-4 win. But No. 25 Stetson hit three home runs in game two on its way to a 5-2 win as the Bulldogs and Hatters (19-3, 3-1 ASUN) split an Atlantic Sun Conference doubleheader Friday night at Joe Lee Griffin Field.

Samford (12-9, 4-4 ASUN) used a three-run sixth inning to rally from a 4-2 deficit and end Stetson's 64 - game winning streak when leading after six innings. Iorg finished 2-for-3 with three RBI while Sae Evans and Kip Snowden each had two hits. Junior right-hander Frank Allen Yeilding picked up his fourth win of the season. Yeilding pitched a complete game seven innings allowing four runs on eight hits and striking out one.

Stetson jumped out to a 2-0 lead on Brian Snyder's two- run home run in the first inning. The Bulldogs tied the game in the bottom of the second when Iorg singled up the middle to score Sae Evans and Major Allred.

The Hatters regained the lead 4-2 in the third on a two-RBI single by Bryan Zenchyk. Samford then rallied in the sixth. With the bases loaded Sae Evans singled to left center to score Grant Caldwell and Allred tying the game, 4-4. After Kip Snowden singled, Iorg's infield single scored Evans for the winning run.

In game two, Bryan Zenchyk hit a two-run homer in the second and Brian Snyder and Andy Wilson each homered in the seventh for the Hatters. Samford had bases loaded with no outs twice in the game but produced only two runs.

Zenchyk's home run to left field gave the Hatters a 2-0 lead in the third. The Bulldogs pulled within one run in the bottom of the fifth. Samford loaded the bases for Michael Collins, who reached on a fielder's choice to score Ehren Wassermann. But Stetson's Mike Wiley struck out Robert Evans and Sae Evans back-to-back to get out of the inning.

After Snyder's and Wilson's solo home runs extended Stetson's lead to 5-1 heading into the bottom of the seventh, the Bulldogs loaded the bases again. Wilson, who relieved Wiley, walked in Iorg to make it, 5-2. Wilson then struck out Robert Evans and Major Allred and forced Caldwell to pop up to secure the win for the Hatters.

Stetson left-hander Mike Wiley picked up the win. Wiley struck out seven through six innings before giving way to Wilson who earned his fifth save of the season. Snyder, Wilson and Rasmusen each had two hits to lead the Hatters. Iorg finished 2-for-3 while Robert Evans, Wassermann, Sumner and Rhodes each had one hit for Samford.

Samford and Stetson conclude the series Saturday afternoon at 1 p.m. at Joe Lee Griffin Field.