By Holly Weber, TTU Sports Information Coordinator

BIRMINGHAM, Ala.—A Madison Taylor two-run home run highlighted day one of the Samford Tournament for the Tennessee Tech softball team (3-7, 0-0 OVC). However, Samford (5-5) was triumphant in the opening contest with the Bulldogs defeating the Golden Eagles 10-2 in six innings.

Samford scored first, kicking things off in the bottom of the second when the Bulldog's Callie Brister launched a solo home run to left field. Later in the inning, the Bulldog's catcher Hannah Trombley followed suit hitting a two-run home run to center field. A Tech fielding error then allowed another Bulldog runner to score leaving two on with two out and a 4-0 lead.  The Golden Eagles held strong and a Samford popup to Tech's shortstop, Callen Griffin, got the Golden Eagles out of a four-run second inning.

Samford added three more in the third with a single and a double both to right field to lead 7-0. Tech notched their first runs of the game in the top of the fifth when Taylor smacked a two-run home run to right center to cut the Bulldog lead to 7-2. Samford rounded out their 10-2 victory when the Bulldog's Caroline Wilder hit an RBI double to left center in the bottom of the sixth followed by an Abby Sweeny single through the left side. Trombley then came up to the plate and doubled to right center to drive in the final run of the game.

Danielle Liberatore (1-4) suffered the loss going for 2 innings and allowing seven runs on four hits while striking out three and walking four. Mollie Hanson was the winning Bulldog pitcher going for all six innings and allowing two runs on four hits while striking out two.

The Golden Eagles continue Samford Tournament play on Saturday when Tech takes on Wright State in a 10 a.m. contest.