Marshall University Athletics
Thundering Herd Softball Releases 2007 Schedule
10/12/2006 12:00:00 AM | Softball
View the 2007 Softball Schedule
Oct. 12, 2006
HUNTINGTON - The Marshall Thundering Herd softball team released its 2007 schedule Thursday, according to head coach Shonda Stanton.
Stanton returns for her eighth season at the helm of the Thundering Herd program. Last season, Marshall (33-23 in 2006) advanced to its second consecutive conference championship game. The Herd looks to make another deep run into the postseason in 2007, led by two-time NFCA/Louisville Slugger All-American Rachel Folden (Baldwin Park, Calif./Diamond Bar).
Despite losing five starters from last year's squad, including four-time all-conference selections Amanda and Jessica Williams, the Herd returns 11 letterwinners. Marshall welcomes one of its most highly-touted recruiting classes under Stanton that includes eight newcomers.
In addition to Folden, the Herd returns three All-Conference USA selections - Abigail Harter (Monmouth, Ore./Santiam Christian), Samantha Rodriguez (Oakley, Calif./Freedom) and Joscelyn Bitner (Virginia Beach, Va./Princess Anne).
The Herd finds itself playing a tough schedule similar to 2006. Marshall will play five 2006 NCAA Regional participants, including North Carolina State (Feb. 16), Florida (Feb. 17), Princeton (March 3), Louisville (March 14) and Tulsa (April 15). The Herd may have the opportunity to face a sixth NCAA Regional participant - North Carolina - at the Tar Heel Invitational.
"We have another very competitive schedule with the ability to face five NCAA Regional participants this season," Stanton said.
Marshall will participate in four regular season tournaments this season - the Alexis Resort Kickoff Classic (Feb. 9-11) in Las Vegas, Nev.; the Cox Communications Classic (Feb. 16-18) in Gainesville, Fla.; the First Pitch Classic (Feb. 23-25) in Charlotte, N.C., and the Tar Heel Invitational (March 2-4) in Chapel Hill, N.C.
"The preseason segment (of our schedule) is about preparing us for conference play," Stanton said. "This schedule gives us the opportunity to be challenged early and also build confidence with such a young team."
Marshall will play a 24-game conference schedule, including home series against UTEP (March 10-11), East Carolina (March 24-25), Southern Miss (April 6-7) and Memphis (April 21-22). The Herd's road C-USA schedule includes UAB (March 17-18), UCF (March 31-April 1), Tulsa (April 14-15) and Houston (May 5-6).
"Again, this conference will have so much parity," Stanton said. "We are going to have to come together early in order to make a run for the conference title.
"We have so many new faces and our expectation is to get back to the conference championship game again."
Following the Herd's rigorous 52-game slate, Marshall is scheduled to travel to Orlando, Fla., to participate in the 2007 Conference USA Softball Championship which will be held at the UCF Softball Stadium.
