Greensboro, N.C. -- Abbie Miranda delivered a walk-off single to plate Callie Brister with two outs in the bottom of the eighth inning as Samford edged Furman 4-3 to claim the Southern Conference Softball Championship on Saturday afternoon at UNCG Softball Stadium in Greensboro, N.C.

The Bulldogs (40-18) completed a perfect 3-0 run through the tournament to claim their first league title and NCAA regional berth. The Paladins, who fought through the losers bracket with four straight wins, finished the campaign at 33-28.

After SoCon Tournament Most Outstanding Player Mollie Hanson retired Furman in order in the top of the eighth, Brister opened the bottom of the frame with a double off the glove of Furman left fielder Taylor Collins at the wall. Furman starter Lindsey Bert sat down the following two batters before Miranda's game-winning single to left field.

The Paladins had several chances throughout the game, including the first inning when a Sieara Bishop double, Samford error and Bert single loaded the bases. Hanson, who improved to 23-8 in the circle retired the next three batters to keep the game scoreless.

Samford grabbed the lead with single runs in the first and second inning. Brister doubled in the first and scored on Abby Sweeney's single to open the scoring before Megan Dowdy plated Kelsey Royalty with a second-inning single.

Furman got on the board in the fifth as sophomore Hannah Reynolds stroked a solo home run over the center field fence to trim the deficit to 2-1.

In the top of the sixth inning, Elise Smith was hit by a pitch with two outs and pinch runner Lauren Duggar advanced to third base on an error. Hanson then delivered a pitch that skipped to the back stop and Duggar broke for home, but the ball caromed back to Sweeney and Duggar was ruled out on a tag at the plate.

The Paladins took advantage of their last chance in the seventh inning. Collins singled to open the frame and moved to second base on Brittany Houston sacrifice bunt. Bishop singled and took second base on the throw to the plate as Collins stopped at third base. After Reynolds popped out to left field for the second out, a Bert fly ball to left appeared like it would end the game, but Shelby Maze dropped the ball allowing two runs to score and Furman to grab a 3-2 lead.

Furman's advantage was short-lived as Hannah Trombley lined a one-out pitch over the left field wall in the bottom of the seventh to tie the game and set up her team's eighth inning heroics.

Hanson allowed just one earned run on eight hits over eight innings to pick up the win for the Bulldogs. She fanned four batters and did not allow a base on balls.

Bert suffered the loss for Furman to fall to 20-17. She allowed four runs on eight hits in 7.2 innings. Bert struckout five batters without issuing a walk.

Bishop went 3-for-4 at the plate to finish with a tournament record 13 hits. Bert added two hits.

Bishop, Bert, Johnson and Ogburn were named to the all-tournament team. Johnson completed the weekend with a SoCon Tournament record 12 RBI.

All-Tournament Team (11 due to tie)
Danielle Knoetze, ETSU, Jr. IF                           
Lindsey Bert, Furman, So., P/DP                       
Sieara Bishop, Furman, Sr., SS                          
Candace Johnson, Furman, R-So., OF               
Emma Ogburn, Furman, So., C                          
Megan Bilgri, Mercer, So., P                              
Callie Brister, Samford, Sr., IF                            
Mollie Hanson, Samford, R-Sr., P                      
Abbie Miranda, Samford, Jr., IF                         
Abby Sweeney, Samford, Jr., C                         
Amanda Beltran, Chattanooga, Fr., C

Most Outstanding Player
Mollie Hanson, Samford, R-Sr., P                      


Jordan Caskey, Furman Sports Information