The Samford softball team lost 8-5 to UNC Greensboro on May 3, ending its regular season at home in Birmingham. The Bulldogs now hold a record of 26-29 overall and finished Southern Conference play at 14-7. They will enter the upcoming conference tournament as the number two seed.
Before the game, Samford honored seniors Olivia Trout, Katie Hart, and Sara Bond. Olivia Shaw gave Samford an early lead with a solo home run in the first inning. UNC Greensboro responded in the second inning with two home runs: a solo shot by Hadley Gardner and a three-run homer from Macy Michael, putting the Spartans ahead 4-1 and leading to an early pitching change for Samford.
UNC Greensboro extended its lead in the third inning through additional hits including another home run by Laney Deane, an RBI double from Gardner, and an RBI single by Salem Ward. Although Olivia Shaw reached base on an error that brought in a run for Samford in the bottom of the second, sustained offense was difficult for much of the game.
Shaw finished with three hits and three runs batted in while Katie Campbell doubled to center field during a late rally attempt that scored two more runs for Samford. Despite collecting ten hits across four innings, Samford left twelve runners stranded on base—its highest total this season.
Claire McArthur pitched out of relief for nearly five innings, giving up just five hits and one unearned run. The Bulldogs limited UNCG to one insurance run late but could not overcome their deficit before time ran out. Sara Bond took her fourth loss of the year as starting pitcher.
Looking ahead, Samford will begin postseason play Thursday at noon as they face either the third seed or winner between sixth and seventh seeds in their first tournament matchup.
