Samford freshman hurls no-hitter at Redhawks

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- Few pitchers have shut down the Ohio Valley Conference's top-hitting softball team this season.

But Samford freshman Stephanie Royall accomplished the feat with an impressive twist Friday afternoon.

Royall no-hit Southeast Missouri State as host Samford posted a 1-0 rain-shortened victory.

The game was called due to weather conditions with two outs and a Southeast runner on first base in the top of the sixth inning.

Friday's second game was postponed until today, when the squads will play a series-closing doubleheader beginning at 11 a.m.

Southeast, losing for just the fourth time since March 25, fell to 27-13 overall and 14-4 in OVC play. The Redhawks remained in second place in the 10-team conference. Samford (15-34, 5-12) is eighth in the league.

Royall, who leads the Bulldogs in wins, struck out four and walked three as she improved to 10-11.

The Redhawks entered the contest with an OVC-leading .304 batting average, which ranked 21st nationally.

Samford scored the lone run in the bottom of the second inning as Jenna Dempski drilled a two-out single up the middle to plate Shelley Stanley from second base. Stanley led off with a single and stole second.

Elaine Fisher (12-9) took the loss. In five innings, she allowed five hits, struck out four and walked none.