Softball Takes First Two on Saturday :: Bulldogs extend winning streak to five straight

March 15, 2003

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The Samford softball team moved its winning streak to five-straight games as the Bulldogs defeated Alabama A&M 9-0 and Eastern Illinois 5-3 on the first day of the Samford Invitational at Bulldog Field on Saturday.

Samford (12-6) hit a school record four home runs against Alabama A&M (2-17) in its first game of the day. The Bulldogs scored five runs in the second inning and four runs in the third inning off A&M starter Kayla Dale. Angela Bednark started the scoring with her first of two home runs on the day, a solo shot to right field. After a walk to Erin Hall, Trisha Holman reached on a error. Kelly Smith had an RBI single in front of a three-run home run by Deanna Resmondo to make the score 5-0.

In the third inning, Abi Casillo led off with a double in front of Michelle Wright's sixth home run of the season over the left field fence. Wright's two RBI on the day moved her into a tied a top Samford's career RBI list with 65 career RBI. Smith added a two-run homer in the inning to make the score 9-0. Emilee Lewis picked up the win for Samford to improve to 3-2. She pitched five shutout innings giving up just one hit and striking out five.

In the second game, Samford jumped on top 1-0 in the first inning as Bednark drove in Casillo with a single. Eastern Illinois (5-10) stormed back with three runs in the bottom of the first to take a 3-1 lead. Kristin Lovering and Mandy Lindwall had RBI singles for the Panthers.

The Bulldogs pulled a run closer in the second inning as Resmondo doubled home Holman. In the fourth inning, Holman led off with a walk and scored on a double by Smith to tie the game. Smith would come around to score on an RBI-single by Erin Landsburg to regain the lead at 4-3. Bednark add an insurance run in the fifth with her fourth home run of the season.

Lewis started the game for the Bulldogs pitching four innings giving up three runs on three hits. Landsburg picked up the win in relief to improve to 4-2 on the year. She threw three innings giving up just two hits and fanning four. Trish Sanders took the loss for EIU to drop to 1-5 on the year.

In the first game of the day Eastern Illinois defeated Alabama A&M 3-0. The Panthers scored single runs in the second, fourth, and sixth innings. Kristen Becker got the win for EIU to move to 4-4. She threw seven shutout innings giving up four hits, one walk, and struck out three.

The Samford Invitational continues on Sunday. Eastern Illinois and Alabama A&M will begin the day at Noon. Samford will face EIU at 2 p.m. before concluding the tournament at 4 p.m. against Alabama A&M.