Marshall University Athletics
Herd Softball Takes Two From Kent State in Dramatic Fashion
4/12/2003 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Herd Softball Takes Two From Kent State in Dramatic Fashion
4/12/2003
- Game 1 Box Score
- Game 2 Box Score
Head Coach Shonda Stanton talks with the Herd's game one catcher, Allison Webb. Webb came through for the Herd, going 2-for-4 with a home run and four RBI as the designated player in game two. |
KENT, Ohio- The Marshall University softball team defeated Kent State University in a doubleheader at the Kent State Athletic Complex on Saturday, 5-1 and 8-4. With the dramatic game two come from behind win, Marshall moves into first place overall in the Mid-American Conference.
The Herd (32-10, 13-2 MAC) had its bats ready, scoring three runs in the top of the first inning of game one. MU?s leadoff hitter Jessica Williams (Powder Springs, Ga.) was hit by the first pitch of the contest and Sierra Davenport (Tucson, Ariz.) placed a bunt for a base hit. With Marshall?s two quickest runners aboard, Amanda Williams (Powder Springs, Ga.) scorched a ball that was too hot for the Flashes centerfielder, driving in her sister and tallying her 11th double of the season. Kent decided to walk De?Shaun Drake (Spring Valley, Calif.), the Herd?s clean-up hitter, and loaded the bases. After an MU out, freshman Leigh Wintter (Acworth, Ga.) drove a deep fly ball, which the right fielder misplayed in the wind allowing the Herd to take the 3-0 lead after one.
The second inning looked like d?j? vu as Jessica Williams drew a walk and Davenport gathered another infield hit. Amanda Williams then added her second hit of the contest, singling to left field to load the bases. This time the Flashes were forced to face Drake and she came through with a ground ball that pushed the Herd?s fourth run across.
Kent State (18-11, 8-4 MAC) struck for a run in the bottom of the fourth when they followed a Herd error with back-to-back hits to make the score 4-1.
The Herd regained the four run lead in the 5th. Amanda Williams singled for her third hit of the contest and Drake moved her to second. Allison Webb (Wayne, W.Va.) came up with an infield hit to put runners on the corners. Noelle Adams (Wheeling, W.Va.) came in to run for Webb and teamed up with Amanda Williams to execute a double steal, allowing Amanda Williams to score.
The Golden Flashes managed five hits off MU?s starting pitcher Randi Nielson (Tucson, Ariz.), but could only produce one run. Amanda Williams went 3-for-4 in the game and Davenport was 2-for-4 at the plate. Nielson improves to a MAC leading 19-2 on the season with her 16th complete game win.
In game two the Flashes jumped out to the early lead. Kent State?s Danielle Fincham singled, moved to second on the bunt and scored on a single by Rachel Testa to make the score 1-0 after one complete inning.
Kent was able to add another run in the second, again with two singles and a sacrifice bunt. The Golden Flashes had the early 2-0 lead, but the Herd wasn?t ready to lay down.
Jessica Williams placed a bunt for a hit to get things going in the third. Davenport lined a double to left field to put runners on second and third for the Herd. The Golden Flashes then opted to walk the MAC?s leading hitter in Amanda Williams and load the bases. After the second out of the inning, MU?s designated hitter, Webb, came through for MU in a crucial situation, lining a single to center and tying up the contest at two.
The Golden Flashes also brought their bats for the second contest as a two run home run by Jodi Stevens drifted over the right field fence, putting Kent up 4-2 in the bottom of the third.
Marshall hit the ball hard throughout the contest, but couldn?t find the holes in the Kent State defense until their final at bat. Courtney Kacenga (Sierra Vista, Ariz.), after lining out her first three at bats, stroked another hard hit that found a hole to get things going. Jessica Williams followed her with a line drive base hit to left field. Davenport then laid down a sacrifice bunt which the Flashes catcher rifled into right field, allowing Kacenga to score and moving Jessica Williams to third. With first base open, Kent State opted to walk Amanda Williams for the second time, bringing Drake to the plate with the bases loaded. Drake made the Flashes pay, by drilling a base hit to right field. A pair of bobbles by the Flashes allowed all three runners to score and for Marshall to take a two run lead. The next batter to the plate, Webb, kept things going by blasting a towering home run to right field and adding two more runs to the Herd?s total. Wintter drilled a double, but the MU rally ended with a six run seventh inning.
Sarah Chamberlain (Moses Lake, Wash.) came in to close out the game for Marshall on the mound. Drake received the win, improving to 6-2 on the season and allowing five KSU hits. Jessica Williams led the Herd, going 3-for-4 on the game. Webb went 2-for-4, blasting her third home run of the season and knocking in four runs. Kent State?s Melissa Rhodes took the loss on the mound for the Flashes, going seven innings and giving up nine Marshall hits.
With the pair of wins and an 11-2 MAC record, Marshall takes the overall lead in the Mid-American Conference.
The two teams will face off again tomorrow at 1:00 p.m. at the KSU Softball Complex. Fans can follow the game live on the internet through a link on www.kent.edu/athletics.
