Softball Outslugs Southeast Missouri To Win Critical OVC Series, 7-1 :: The Bulldogs' Emily Deaux and Amanda Barrs both homered in the victory

April 13, 2008

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The Samford University softball team took a huge step towards making a run at the 2008 Ohio Valley Conference Tournament on Sunday as the Bulldogs cruised to a key 7-1 victory against the Southeast Missouri Redhawks at Bulldog Field.

"I'm extremely pleased with the way that we played today and I thought that we almost looked like a different team this weekend," said Samford head coach Beanie Ketcham. "We are playing with a lot of confidence right now and that is showing up offensively and defensively. I was very proud of how we pitched and how we hit the ball today."

With the victory, Samford (15-24, 7-11 OVC) earned its second conference series win of the season. Earlier this year, the Bulldogs also took two out of three games at home against Austin Peay.

Samford improved its all-time record to 8-1 when playing in Birmingham versus Southeast Missouri (19-21, 8-9 OVC). The Bulldogs' only home loss to the Redhawks occurred in Saturday's second game, 4-3.

With Sunday's setback, Southeast Missouri lost its first OVC series in three weeks. The Redhawks' previous series defeat came at Tennessee Tech on March 21-22.

"I'm really proud of our players because they defeated a very good team this weekend," Ketcham said. "Southeast Missouri is one of the best hitting teams in the conference this season and we held them to only four hits today. That doesn't happen very often against them, plus we were able to score seven big runs which really helped our confidence."

Sophomore Amanda Barrs (5-5) started in the circle for the Bulldogs and only allowed four hits in the victory. Samford's multi-talented native of Harrisburg, N.C., finished with three strikeouts and only allowed one earned run.

Offensively, Barrs also did some damage as she went 1-for-2 with a run scored and three RBI. She delivered the knockout blow for the Bulldogs in the bottom of the fourth inning with a towering two-run homer to right center field. The home run was her fourth of the season.

Samford jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the bottom of the second inning when Emily Deaux rifled a line drive two-run homer to left field.

The home run was her fourth of the season and helped the Bulldogs take a 2-0 lead. Deaux turned in a 1-for-3 outing at the plate and drove in a pair of runs. She also scored a run in the lopsided 7-1 victory.

Sophomore third baseman Katie England also crossed the plate on Deaux's round-tripper. England, Samford's talented power hitter from Birmingham, proved to be one of six Bulldogs to record a base hit Sunday.

"One of the things that was big for us this weekend was that everybody contributed at the plate," Ketcham said. "We haven't had to rely on just one or two players coming up with big hits, because we've had that happen from everybody in our lineup. That's a great thing to have and I think that our offense is really starting to peak at the right time."

After Southeast Missouri scored its lone run in the top of the fourth inning, Barrs answered with her two-run shot in the bottom of the frame. The homer gave Samford a decisive 4-1 lead in the game.

True freshman Aaren Fisher singled up the middle to lead off the fourth inning and later scored on Barrs' blast. Fisher finished with a 1-for-2 performance at the plate and tallied a run and an RBI.

Her RBI came in the fifth inning as Samford extended its lead to 6-1. With the bases loaded and one out, Fisher was hit by a pitch to score Kylie Harmon from third. Harmon, the Bulldogs' junior second baseman from Matthew, Ala., was 1-for-2 with two runs scored Sunday.

Samford's Jessica Owens also crossed the plate in the fifth inning. The Bulldogs' speedy leadoff hitter turned in a 1-for-4 performance at the plate.

Southeast Missouri's Elaine Fisher (14-14) allowed six runs on six hits and was saddled with the loss. The Redhawks' senior ace from St. Peters, Mo., tallied two strikeouts in 4.2 innings.

Offensively, Southeast Missouri was only able to muster four hits. Michelle Summers, Megan McDonald, Alex Ramirez and Katie Otterness all tallied base hits, while pinch runner Lindsey Woodworth scored the Redhawks' only run of the game.

In its five years as a member of the OVC, Samford has compiled an 11-6 record against Southeast Missouri.

The Samford University softball team will next be in action Wednesday at 6 p.m., as the Bulldogs square off against the cross-town rival Birmingham-Southern Panthers on the road at the BSC Softball Park.