Marshall University Athletics
Marshall Sweeps in First Day of Radisson Softball Classic
3/7/2003 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Marshall Sweeps in First Day of Radisson Softball Classic
3/7/2003
Freshman shortstop Jessica Williams scoops up a ground ball for an out in the Herd's first victory over Morehead State. Strong defensive play by the Herd helped the team collect two victories in the first day of the Radisson Softball Classic. |
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. - The Marshall University softball team swept a pair of games with Morehead State University and Cleveland State University in the Radisson Softball Classic Friday at Dot Hicks Field. The Herd downed Morehead State, 3-0 and took care of Cleveland State, 6-1.
In the first contest the Herd started things off hot against Morehead State, scoring two runs in the bottom of the first inning. Sierra Davenport (Tucson, Ariz.) reached on an error by the Eagle first baseman and swiped second. Amanda Williams (Powder Springs, Ga.) and De?Shaun Drake (Spring Valley, Calif.) lined back to back singles to produce Marshall?s first two runs of the contest.
The only other run of the game came when Sara Spenia (Las Vegas, NV) reached on a bunt base hit and moved to second as the Eagle catcher errored the throw. Courtney Kacenga (Sierra Vista, Ariz.) laid down a sacrifice bunt to move Spenia to third. Another Morehead error allowed Spenia to cross the plate on a ground ball by Amanda Williams and make the score 3-0.
Morehead State (0-3) out hit the Herd seven to five, but three crucial errors allowed Marshall to run away with the victory. Drake led Marshall at the plate with two hits in the contest. Sarah Chamberlain (Moses Lake, Wash.) earned the win on the mound for the Herd. She improves her record to 2-2 on the season.
The night cap started off in a similar fashion with the Herd jumping out to the lead in the first. Jessica Williams (Powder Springs, Ga.) led off, knocking a hard single to the third baseman. The fleet footed Williams then stole second and moved to third on a single by Amanda Williams. Drake smashed a hard ground ball to score the run and put Marshall up 1-0 after the first.
The offense got rolling for the Herd in the bottom of the third inning when four straight singles set the stage for Drake?s three run home run. Marshall put five runs on the board in the inning and found themselves up 6-0 after three complete.
The Vikings (0-1) were able to push an unearned run across in their half of the fifth. A Herd error and a walk allowed Cleveland State to score a run on a bloop hit by J.J. Thornsberry. The score would remain 6-1 for the duration of the contest.
Randi Nielson (Tucson, Ariz.) picked up her sixth win of the season on the mound with the complete game victory. Jessica and Amanda Williams, along with Davenport each had two hits in the game. Drake collected six RBI overall on the day, including her third home run of the season.
The Herd moves to 11-5 overall on the season. Marshall will continue play in the Radisson Softball Classic at 2:00 p.m. tomorrow as they take on Cleveland State. The Radisson Softball Classic will kick off at 10:00 a.m. Saturday and continue all day long on Dot Hicks Field.
