Herd Sweeps Doubleheader From Louisville Wednesday, Finishes Homestand 5-1

March 14, 2007

HUNTINGTON - Coupled with a pair of solid pitching performances and a balanced offensive attack, the Marshall Thundering Herd finished its six-game homestand with a 5-1 mark, sweeping a doubleheader from Louisville Wednesday.

The Herd (15-9) has now won eight of its last 10 games and 11 of its last 13. Louisville (11-10) snapped a five-game winning streak, suffering its first loss since March 7.

Game 1 (Marshall 8, Louisville 5)

Box Score | Photo Gallery

Marshall jumped out to an early 8-0 lead, but was able to hold off a furious Louisville rally, taking an 8-5 win in game one.

Senior southpaw Abigail Harter (Monmouth, Ore./Santiam Christian) earned her eighth win (8-4) of the season in the circle. Harter allowed four runs on nine hits in six innings, while fanning five batters. Freshman Erin DeStefano (Wildwood, Mo./Lafayette) scattered two hits, while giving up a run in an inning of relief.

All nine Herd batters record a hit in game one. J.J. Bitner (Virginia Beach, Va./Princess Anne) went 2-for-4 with an RBI, while Rachel Schmidt (Alliance, Ohio/Marlington) went 1-for-3 with a two-RBI double.

Louisville's Kassie Stanfill (4-3) suffered the loss, surrendering three runs on eight hits in three innings. Kristen Wadwell was touched for the Herd's remaining three runs on two hits in three innings.

The Herd began its offensive clinic in the second inning, jumping out to a 2-0 lead. With two runners on, Marcena Bertoldo (Beaumont, Calif./Rialto) laced a two-out, RBI double to left field which scored Gina Guzzo (Virginia Beach, Va./Kempsville). Bitner followed with an RBI single down the left field line, scoring Caitlyn Jackson (Ontario, Calif./Pomona Catholic) for a two-run lead.

Marshall would extend its lead to 5-0 with a three-run third inning. Samantha Rodriguez (Oakley, Calif./Freedom) sent a one-out single to left field and later advanced to second on a wild pitch. Two batters later, Rodriguez scored on an RBI single down the left field line by Rachael Sofie (Everett, Wash./Cascade). After a Jackson single up the middle, Schmidt scored Sofie and Jackson with a two-RBI double, giving the Herd a five-run advantage.

The Herd tacked on three more runs in the fourth inning to take a commanding 8-0 lead.

Trailing 8-0 in the fifth inning, Louisville plated its first two runs on the game on Kristi Cunningham's two-run home run. The Cardinals added another run in the sixth and two more in the seventh inning, but Marshall held on for an 8-5 win.

Marshall 8, Louisville 5 (Mar 14, 2007 at Huntington, W.Va.) (Game 1)----------------------------------------------------------------------Louisville.......... 000 021 2 -  5 11  2      (11-9)Marshall............ 023 300 X -  8 10  1      (14-9)----------------------------------------------------------------------Pitchers: Louisville - STANFILL, Kassie; WADWELL, Kristen(4). Marshall - Harter, Abigail;DESTEFANO, Erin(7).Win-HARTER, Abigail(8-4)  Loss-STANFILL, Kassie(4-3)  T-1:50  A-160HR LOU - CUNNINGHAM, Kristi.

Game 2 (Marshall 2, Louisville 1)

Game 2 Box Score

Despite only recording two hits, it was all Marshall would need as the Herd posted a 2-1 win in game two, securing the doubleheader sweep.

Senior hurler Amanda Luers (Dover, Ohio/Dover) went the distance, allowing one run, while scattering six hits for the complete-game victory. Luers (6-2) struck out one in her sixth victory of the season, which is a new single-season career high.

Louisville's Kristen Wadwell (1-1) was dealt the loss, allowing two runs on two hits in five innings, fanning five batters.

Bitner and Rachel Folden (Baldwin Park, Calif./Diamond Bar) each went 1-for-3. Six different Louisville batters registered a hit.

After nearly three-and-a-half scoreless innings, the Herd broke the deadlock on Folden's RBI single in the fourth.

Marshall doubled its lead in the ensuing inning when Sofie scored on a throwing error by Rebecca Saksefski.

The Cardinals cut the deficit in half, 2-1, in the sixth inning. With two runners on, Courtney Moore delivered an RBI single up the middle for the Cardinals' first run of the second game. However, the Herd would record three consecutive outs to escape the inning, clinging to a one-run lead.

Although Luers allowed two hits in the final inning, she held her ground in the circle, retiring the last two batters she faced to notch the win.

The Marshall Thundering Herd returns to action this weekend when it travels to Birmingham, Ala., for a three-game series with the UAB Blazers, beginning Saturday, March 17.

Marshall 2, Louisville 1 (Mar 14, 2007 at Huntington, W.Va.) (Game 2)----------------------------------------------------------------------Louisville.......... 000 001 0 -  1  6  2      (11-10)Marshall............ 000 110 X -  2  2  2      (15-9)----------------------------------------------------------------------Pitchers: Louisville - WADWELL, Kristen; STANFILL, Kassie(6). Marshall - Luers, Amanda.Win-LUERS, Amanda(6-2)  Loss-WADWELL, Kristen(1-1)  T-1:20  A-161WADWELL faced 1 batter in the 6th.

Herd Sweeps Doubleheader From Louisville Wednesday, Finishes Homestand 5-1

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Players Mentioned

Marcena Bertoldo

Erin DeStefano

Rachel Folden

Gina Guzzo

Abigail Harter

Caitlyn Jackson

Amanda Luers

Samantha Rodriguez

Rachel Schmidt

Rachael Sofie

Marshall University Athletics

Herd Sweeps Doubleheader From Louisville Wednesday, Finishes Homestand 5-1

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Next Event

Players Mentioned

Marcena Bertoldo

Erin DeStefano

Rachel Folden

Gina Guzzo

Abigail Harter

Caitlyn Jackson

Amanda Luers

Samantha Rodriguez

Rachel Schmidt

Rachael Sofie

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