Feb. 28, 2003
Chattanooga, Tenn. - The Western Kentucky University softball team dropped their fifth game of the year today, falling to Samford 6-5, despite a four-RBI game from sophomore Shelly Floyd. A week removed from being named the Sun Belt Conference's Hitter of the Week, Floyd put together the second three hit game of her career, including a three-run homer in the losing effort. The Hilltoppers trailed 6-5 heading into the bottom of the seventh and were unable to tally the tying run after loading the bases with two out.
The Bulldogs jumped ahead, 1-0, in the third inning after Kelly Smith led off with a double, followed by an RBI single from Bridgette Smith. Samford loaded the bases with just one out, but junior Allison Silver escaped the jam by striking out Michelle Wright and forcing Angela Bednark to ground out.
The Hilltoppers took the lead in the bottom of the third, as senior Kristalyn Smith opened the inning with a lead-off double to centerfield. Smith put WKU on the board after Floyd singled up the middle. A throwing error by Samford's catcher as Floyd took second, allowed her to score on the play, putting Western ahead 2-1.
Samford retaliated with a two-run home run from Michelle Wright in the top of the fifth off freshman Natasha Sevco, who came on in relief of Silver in the fourth. The Bulldogs' lead was short lasted as Floyd jacked her second home run of the season in the bottom of the fifth, a three-run shot to put WKU on top 5-3. Floyd's blast scored freshman Jennifer Hollingsworth and junior Riley Garcia.
The Bulldogs' Kelly Smith added her second double of the day in the top of the sixth, jump starting a rally as Samford tacked on two more runs to even the score at 5-all. The Bulldogs put their first two runners on base in the top of the seventh and scored the go-ahead run when Erin Landsburg scored off a sac fly from Kelly Smith.
- WKU -
