Folden and Rodriguez Named to C-USA Preseason Team

Jan. 16, 2008

DALLAS, Texas - Marshall Thundering Herd catcher Rachel Folden and infielder Samantha Rodriguez were named to the Conference USA preseason team, as announced Wednesday by the conference office.

"Folden and Sam are two of the better hitters in the conference, so it is nice to see them recognized," Stanton said. "They both will be instrumental in our run for the C-USA title."

Folden, a senior, picked up her third-straight preseason conference selection after producing impressive numbers in last season's campaign. After hitting a career-high .408 with 14 home runs and 47 RBIs, Folden was awarded C-USA first team honors and NFCA/Louisville Slugger All-American honors.

Rodriguez, which garnered her second-straight preseason accolade, finished the 2007 season with a .322 batting average and a conference-leading 17 doubles. The 5-8 senior also earned her second-consecutive C-USA second team honors.

The Herd was picked to finish fifth in the conference after posting an 11-13 record, fourth in the conference in 2007. Preseason favorite Houston is last year's regular season and conference tournament champion.

"We are excited to get the season underway," Stanton continued. "It is time for our program to take a step forward to post season play and we know we have the talent to accomplish our goals."

Marshall begins the 2008 season on the road at the Red/Black Showcase hosted by the University of Georgia, Feb. 8-10. The Herd opens the tournament against Women's College World Series participant, DePaul, Feb. 8, at noon.

Predicted Order of Finish1. Houston (9) 44-18, 20-4 C-USA2. East Carolina 40-20, 14-9 C-USA3. UCF 38-26, 11-13 C-USA4. Tulsa 30-28, 13-10 C-USA5. Marshall 32-26, 11-13 C-USA
Player of the YearJessica Valis Jr. Houston
Pitcher of the YearAngel Shamblin Sr. Houston
All-Conference TeamPos Name Yr. SchoolC Rachel Folden Sr. MarshallIF Jessica Valis Jr. HoustonIF Breanne Javier Jr. UCFIF Sara Dyer Sr. TulsaIF Jessica Johnson Jr. East CarolinaIF Samantha Rodriguez Sr. MarshallOF Megan Hill So. Southern MissOF Katie Bush Jr. HoustonOF Ashley Ellis So. UTEPOF Charina Sumner So. East CarolinaP Angel Shamblin Jr. HoustonP Allison Kime Sr. UCFUT Leila Dolfo Jr. MemphisDP Jackie Lawrence So. Tulsa

Marshall University Athletics

Folden and Rodriguez Named to C-USA Preseason Team

Related News

Players Mentioned

Rachel Folden

Rachel Folden

Samantha Rodriguez

Samantha Rodriguez

Related Videos