Marshall University Athletics
Softball Splits with Southeast Missouri State
3/17/2003 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Softball Splits with Southeast Missouri State
3/17/2003
Rock Hill, S.Car.?The Marshall University softball team split a doubleheader with Southeast Missouri State University in action at Terry Field. In the first game, Southeast Missouri State rallied for a 5-4 victory over the Thundering Herd. However, Marshall took the second game after a five run fourth inning gave the Thundering Herd a commanding lead on their way to a 5-2 victory.
In the first game, the Thundering Herd opened up a 2-0 lead before Southeast Missouri State rallied for the victory. In the bottom of the first inning, Marshall struck first when Amanda Williams doubled to centerfield to score Sierra Davenport. Marshall pitcher De?Shaun Drake followed with a single through the middle to give MU the early 2-0 lead.
Southeast Missouri scored a run in the third, then took the lead in the fourth by posting two runs in the inning to grab a 3-2 lead. Alana Bagby-Leonard singled with two outs to allow Kate Groden and Katy Hacker to score and give SE Missouri State the lead.
However, Marshall was able to tie the game in the bottom of the inning when Noelle Adams scored after Karri Britt managed to stay in a run-down between first and second long enough for the Thundering Herd to tie the score.
SE Missouri State answered right back by scoring two runs in the fifth and grabbing an insurmountable lead. Once again, a two out hit did Marshall in again, as Amy Murphy hit a single to left field to score Suzi Lair and Kemi Rampi.
Marshall rallied with a run in the sixth; however, could not manage a run in the seventh despite putting runners on second and third with two outs.
Jessica Hunter picked up the win for Southeast Missouri State in the first game, pitching a complete game while allowing four runs on eight hits.
Davenport took the loss for Marshall, allowing two runs on four hits over 3.1 innings of work.
Despite taking the loss in the first game, the Thundering Herd managed a 5-2 victory in the second game of the day.
After Southeast Missouri State grabbed an early 1-0 lead with a run in the second inning, Marshall exploded in the fourth inning, scoring five runs and putting the game away.
Marshall opened the scoring in the inning when Sara Spenia singled up the middle to score Adams. Courtney Kacenga followed with another single that allowed Leigh Wintter to cross the plate and give Marshall a 2-1 lead. After Spenia scored on an error, A. Williams doubled to left-center field to score Jessica Williams and Kacenga to give Marshall the 5-1 lead.
During the inning, two errors by SE Missouri State?s Bagby-Leonard sparked the Marshall rally.
Although SE Missouri State managed a run in the bottom of the inning, they never rallied again as Marshall?s Randi Nielson pitched three scoreless innings to get credit for the save in the Thundering Herd victory.
Marshall?s Sarah Chamberlin picked up the victory for MU, allowing two runs on seven hits over four innings of work.
Melissa VanVelkenbur picked up the loss for SE Missouri State, allowing four runs on five hits over 3.1 innings of work.
The Thundering Herd continue their road swing with two games against the University of North Carolina-Greensboro on Tuesday, March 18, beginning at 2:30 p.m. in Greensboro, N.Car.
