By Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – Home runs had been the Tennessee Tech softball team's bread-and-butter for most of the season.

On Wednesday, Samford flipped the script and gave the Golden Eagles a taste of their own medicine.

The visiting Bulldogs knocked out three homers in a 5-1 decision in game one, then used a three-run blast in game two to pace Samford to a 9-1 victory in five innings.

Tech (13-23) returns to Ohio Valley Conference play on Friday as the Golden Eagles play a two-game set at Murray State.

In game one, Taylor Waldrop worked four complete innings, allowing three runs on five hits. Leigh Ellen Thomas came on in relief, allowing two runs on three hits in three frames, walking one and striking out one.

Kelly Kennedy was 3-for-3 at the plate, collecting half of Tech's hits in the game, while Leigh Ellen Thomas was 2-for-3. Demi Coleman earned the other safety.

Abbie Miranda and Lexie Higgins drove in two runs apiece for the Bulldogs, with Abby Sweeney driving in one run. All three players homered in the game. Higgins also hit the three-run shot in the nightcap.

Jessica Stone earned the victory, allowing one run on four hits, walking none and striking out one.

In game two, the Bulldogs broke open the floodgates in the third inning, striking for six runs as they chased off Tech starter Kayla Hughes, who was credited with seven runs – one earned – on five hits in 2 2/3 innings. She walked three and struck out two. Thomas came on in relief in the second game as well, allowing two runs on four hits as she walked one and struck out two.

Rebecca Leonard earned her first win of the season as she allowed one hit – a single to Gabby Perez in the second inning. Tech remained hitless for the rest of the contest, but drove in a run in the bottom of the fifth as Amity Brown scored on an Ashley McGowan grounder with runners on second and third.

Photo by Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information