Marshall University Athletics
Softball Drops Oakland, 13-5
3/18/2005 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Softball Drops Oakland, 13-5
3/18/2005
- Box Score
COLUMBUS, Ohio ? Rachel Folden had four RBI to lead the Marshall softball team to a 13-5 win over Oakland on Friday afternoon on day one of the Buckeye Invitational at The Ohio State University.
Amanda Williams (Powder Springs, Ga.) sliced a single through the left side and swiped second to give Marshall its first runner in scoring position. Jessica Williams (Powder Springs, Ga.) then laid down a sacrifice bunt to move A. Williams to third. Rachel Folden (Baldwin Park, Calif.) picked up her league-leading 18th RBI this season with a single to right field, scoring A. Williams, and providing MU with a 1-0 lead.
In the second, the Herd picked up another run after a Grizzly error sent Deanna Tourville (Rescue, Calif.) home after she landed on first after a fielder?s choice.
Herd catcher Gina Guzzo (Virginia Beach, Va.) picked off two OU runners in only three innings behind the plate as the Herd looked tough defensively.
Folden connected on her second hit of the day in the third inning, a line drive home run over the left field fence, to give Marshall its third run of the game. Leigh Wintter (Acworth, Ga.) and Guzzo each notched singles and Sara Spenia (Las Vegas, Nev.) was hit by a pitch to load the bases for a pinch-hitting Samantha Rodriguez (Oakley, Calif.). A Rodriguez sacrifice fly scored one and a Tourville single scored two more making the score 6-0.
A walk and a single put two on for a Camie Knorr home run in the top of the fourth, edging the Herd lead to within three. After walking the next batter, starting pitcher Randi Nielson (Tucson, Ariz.) exited for sophomore Amanda Luers (Dover, Ohio). Nielson gave up six hits and three runs while walking four and striking out three in three innings in the circle. Luers proceeded to walk one and give up a hit to load the bases with one out. A mishap at the plate and a sacrifice fly scored another pair giving Marshall a slim, one-run cushion heading into the bottom of the fourth.
The fourth began much like the first for Marshall as A. Williams got on via an error, stole second and was moved to third by her sister via a sac. Folden tallied her third RBI of the game with a sac fly to left, scoring A. Williams.
Marshall scored in its fifth consecutive inning when a Guzzo single and a Tourville double resulted in one run and a Tarah Mitchell (Shady Springs, W.Va.) double scored two more for a 10-5 score. A. Williams singled a pinch-running Adams home a pitch later for another run. J. Williams then singled and stole second to put two in scoring position for Folden. Folden racked up her fourth RBI of the game with a single and Wintter doubled to bring home Folden for the Mercy Rule.
Nielson moves to 7-4 while Luers gets the save for Marshall (12-8).
Marshall plays Ball State at 11 a.m. and Notre Dame at 5 p.m. tomorrow.
