Samford Beats Bama, 5-2

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- Samford used a three-run first inning to post a 5-2 win over the University of Alabama on Wednesday night at Sewell-Thomas Stadium as the Bulldogs completed its first series sweep over the Crimson Tide in 15 years.

Samford (21-20) posted a 4-3 win over Alabama in Birmingham on March 14, 2007 and has swept the regular season series for just the third time in history. The Bulldogs also earned series sweeps in 1963 and 1992.

Tripp Swann paced the Bulldogs offense with three hits and two RBI. He drove in a run in the first inning and capped the scoring with an RBI single in the seventh.

The Bulldogs batted around in the top of the first inning against UA starter Casey Kebodeaux to take a 3-0 lead. Samford had four hits in the inning, including RBI singles by second baseman Parker Gargis and Tripp Swann. Garrett Rice was hit on a two-strike pitch with the bases loaded to plate another run.

Alabama (23-19) answered with a run in the bottom of the second inning to cut the deficit to 3-1. Junior right fielder Elvin Vargas led off the inning with a single up the middle and moved into scoring position on freshman left fielder Del Howell's base hit to center. After a wild pitch moved runners to second and third, freshman third baseman Jake Smith's sacrifice fly scored Vargas and cut the deficit to 3-1.

The Crimson Tide could not capitalize on a pair of two out walks and left the bases loaded when senior center fielder Emeel Salem grounded out the pitcher to end the second inning.

Samford starter Trent Hill (3-4) picked up the win despite going two innings. He allowed one run and two hits and walked two batters in his 42-pitch stint.

Kebodeaux (3-4) suffered his second straight midweek loss as he allowed three runs and five hits in three innings. He walked two and struck out four.

The Crimson Tide continued its offensive struggles in the third inning, leaving the bases loaded for the second straight inning. UA second baseman Brandon May led off with a single and Vargas and junior first baseman Matt Bentley followed with one out singles to load the bases.

The rally ended there as Samford pitcher Danny Payne struck out Howell and freshman third baseman Jake Smith to end the Tide's last real scoring threat.

Samford stretched its lead to 4-1 in the fourth inning when Marseco delivered an RBI single to left to score John Morgan from second base.

Alabama managed only five base runners the rest of the game against three different Samford relievers.

Sophomore catcher Kyle Moore's solo home run to left center field cut the Samford lead to 4-2 with one out in the fourth inning. It was Moore's second career home run and first of the 2007 season.

Samford made it 5-2 in the seventh on Swann's second RBI single of the game.

Alabama will host South Carolina in a three-game SEC series this weekend in Tuscaloosa. The series opener is Friday, April 27 at 6:36 p.m. and the game will be televised locally by WVUA Sports.

GAME NOTES:

*Samford swept the season series with Alabama after Wednesday's 5-2 win. The Bulldogs also posted a 4-3 win in 10 innings over the Crimson Tide on March 14, 2007 in Birmingham. Samford also swept Alabama in 1963 and 1992.

*Alabama sophomore right fielder Kent Matthes (Orlando, Fla.) did not start against Samford, marking the first time this season he did not start a game. Senior center fielder Emeel Salem (Mountain Brook) and sophomore DH Alex Avila (Pembroke Pines, Fla.) are the only two UA players to start all 42 games this season.

*Sophomore RHP Casey Kebodeaux (Mandeville, La.) recorded Alabama's SEC-leading 19th pickoff when he picked off Samford right fielder Luis Rojas at second base to end the third inning.

*Sophomore catcher Kyle Moore (Wetumpka) hit his first home run of the season and second career home run with one out in the fourth inning. Both career home runs have come against Samford. He went 2-for-5 with a home run and four RBI in UA's 13-3 win over Samford on Feb. 13, 2006 here in Tuscaloosa.

*Moore's home run was just the second home run by an Alabama catcher this season and first since March 9 against Nebraska. Sophomore catcher Ryan Rhoden (Tuscaloosa) has the other home run.

*Senior RHP Patrick Kelly (Dothan) made his first appearance on the mound in six weeks during Wednesday's game against Samford. Kelly has not pitched since allowing five first-inning runs in an 8-6 loss to Tennessee Tech on March 7, 2007.

*Kelly stranded two inherited runners in the fifth inning when he struck out John Morgan with two runners on base. Alabama's bullpen has stranded 18 of its last 19 inherited runners dating back to April 7, 2007.

University of Alabama Athletics

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Players Mentioned

Del Howell

Casey Kebodeaux

Kent Matthes

Brandon May

Kyle Moore

Ryan Rhoden

Jake Smith

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