Marshall University Athletics
Softball Drops Doubleheader to Tar Heels
3/18/2004 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Softball Drops Doubleheader to Tar Heels
3/18/2004
- Game 1
- Game 2
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. ? The Marshall University softball team dropped a doubleheader to the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, 1-0 and 3-1, Wednesday at the UNC Softball Complex.
UNC 1, Marshall 0
Marshall was no-hit for the first time this season as Tar Heel hurler Crystal Cox threw the complete game, walking none and striking out eleven. The extra inning no-hitter is the first in UNC history. The only blemish in the sophomore?s outing was an error in which Sierra Davenport (Tucson, Ariz.) reached first.
Neither squad had a runner in scoring position until UNC catcher Theresa Nicholas laced a single through the right side to advance a Tar Heel that had reached via a walk.
The game remained knotted at zero before UNC took advantage of the international tie-breaker in the bottom of the eighth and moved pinch-runner Marissa May from second to third with a sacrifice bunt. A play later, May scored the winning run as part of a fielder?s choice.
Randi Nielson (Tucson Ariz.) took the loss after putting up solid numbers with five strikeouts, one walk and three hits. The junior pitcher slips to 7-5 on the year.
Cox, who pitched her fourth career no-hitter, improves to 11-7.
UNC 3, Marshall 1
In game two of the doubleheader, Sarah Wilson (Washington, W.Va.) notched the Herd?s first hit of the day? a double to the right field fence in the second inning? but the score remained empty through two and a half innings of play.
UNC (21-13 overall) then strung together a scoring drive in the third inning. Tar Heel second baseman Julia Bove singled off Abigail Harter (Monmouth, Oreg.) and a costly error by the MU defense enabled her home and put one at third. UNC rallied for another run in the frame and edged the score 2-0.
Marshall (14-13 overall) veered back in the sixth inning when Davenport drove in a pinch-running Noelle Adams (Wheeling, W.Va.) for the Herd?s first run of the day and bridge the gap, but would get no closer as the Tar Heels picked up another score in the sixth and closed the game. 4-1.
On her 22nd birthday, Wilson went 2-for-3 with a double to lead all Herd bats.
Harter (2-6) struck out six while giving up three hits and three runs in the loss. Tar Heel pitcher Amy Lin moved her record to 8-6 after throwing a four-hitter.
Marshall will travel to Virginia Tech for the Hokie Classic this weekend.
