May 7, 2011

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Samford defeated SIUE 13-1 in the second game of a three-game baseball series at Joe Lee Griffin Field.

"Today we just flat got beat up," SIUE Head Coach Gary Collins said. "Today was the first really bad game we've had in a really long time."

The Bulldogs, 27-19, got off to a fast start, tagging SIUE starter Josh Malin for four runs on five hits in the first inning. Samford outfielder Kevin Putkonen capped the inning with a two-run home run to right. The Bulldogs made it 5-0 with a run on three hits in the second inning.

SIUE, 20-22, got on the board without a hit in the fifth inning. Zach Hawkins reached on an error to lead off the inning, and then went to second on a walk to Joel Greatting. Brett Keeler moved both runners up with a sacrifice bunt. Thad Hawkins drove in Zach Hawkins with a ground out to second base to make it 5-1.

Samford scored five times on four against three Cougar pitchers in the sixth inning. Malin allowed two hits before departing in favor of Brian Lorenz. Lorenz faced just one hitter, and Luke Ingersoll finished the inning. Putkonen came up with another big hit for the Bulldogs. Putkonen doubled with the bases loaded, scoring three to make it 10-1. Putkonen was thrown out trying to stretch the hit into a triple.

Putkonen finished the game 3 for 5 with five RBIs. The Bulldogs added three runs in the seventh for the final margin.

"Big innings got us today," Collins said.

Meanwhile, Samford starter Charles Basford was on his game. Basford was perfect through three innings and carried a no-hitter through 6 2/3 innings. Joel Greatting and Brett Keeler came up with back-to-back two out singles in the seventh. Basford retired Thad Hawkins to end the inning. Basford allowed just the unearned run on two hits. He struck out five and improved to 5-4.

"Their pitcher did a real good job against us today," Collins added. "And then their hitters made us pay."

Malin, 4-4, allowed seven runs, six earned, over 5 1/3 innings. He struck out five.

Greatting was 1 for 3. Keeler was 1 for 2. Thad Hawkins was 0 for 3 with the only RBI of the game for SIUE.

The Cougars and Bulldogs will play the rubber game of the series Sunday. First pitch is slated for 1 p.m.