BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Michelle Lighton hit a grand slam in the top of the eighth inning to give Appalachian State University softball a 5-1 victory over Samford Sunday evening in Birmingham. Samford won the first game 7-0.

Appalachian won the series two games to one, with a win in the series opening game on Saturday. ASU improved to 11-7 overall while Samford drops to 8-10.

Appalachian struck first in game two when Allie Cashion doubled home Katie Boyd for the first run of the game. Samford tied the game an inning later when Alex Adams hit a homer.

The score remained tied until the eighth, when ASU loaded the bases with no outs. Megan Rembielak led off with a single and Boyd followed with a single and Allie Cashion reached on an error. Lighton followed by hammering the first pitch she saw over the fence for her first career grand slam.  It is the second-straight year Lighton has hit a game-winning homer over Samford.  In the series finale versus the Bulldogs' last season, Lighton hit a game-winning two-run shot in the ninth to give ASU a victory.

Caitlin Wainright was able to get the Bulldogs out in the bottom of the inning to secure the win.

Boyd and Rembielak each had two hits in the win while Wainright threw a complete game, allowing just four hits.

Samford won the first game 7-0 behind a complete game shutout from Stephanie Royall.

Royall allowed just three ASU singles in the win.

Alex Adams and Katie England had two hits apiece to lead the Samford offensive attack.

With two runs scored over the weekend, Boyd moves into second in ASU history with 95 runs scored. The junior already holds school career marks in batting average, homers, slugging and on base percentage and walks.

ASU is scheduled to host Presbyterian on Tuesday, March 16 in the home opener.