Strong Pitching Leads Runnin' Bulldogs Past Marshall, 4-2

Feb. 15, 2008

AUBURN, Ala. - The Marshall Thundering Herd softball team fell 4-2 to Gardner-Webb in its opening round game at the Tiger Invitational, Friday afternoon at the Auburn City Softball Complex.

"It was my most disappointing loss here at Marshall, especially with our inability to adjust at the plate," Marshall head coach Shonda Stanton said. "We have the talent to be a great team, but our commitment to excellence in every aspect of the program; from the practices to the games we need to decide to be more committed."

The Herd (3-4) recorded two hits in the contest with four walks. Senior Rachel Folden led Marshall with two walks and Caitlyn Jackson and Rachael Sofie teamed up for the Herd's hits.

Jackson pitched five innings for the Herd and gave up three runs off seven hits. Junior Autumn Mitchell came in for relief in the fourth and surrendered one hit with one unearned run to keep her ERA to a perfect 0.00. Jackson returned to pitched the final inning.

The Runnin' Bulldog's (2-0) Christine Murray was credited with the victory after surrendering two runs off of two hits with four walks in her complete-game effort.

The Herd snapped the Gardner-Webb's attempt at a no hitter in the sixth, when sophomore Caitlyn Jackson sent a shot to the left side and beat out the throw by the Runnin' Bulldog's shortstop. With only one out, Marshall rallied behind Jackson's single and loaded the bases from a Rachael Sofie single.

Freshman Melanie Stoehr grounded out to second, which scored Rachel Folden from third base to put the Herd on the board. With runners in scoring position, a passed ball scored pinch runner Lacy Davidson to cut the lead in half, but the Herd was unable to overcome the two run deficit in the seventh.

Gardner-Webb jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the third, when Lindsay Cox reached third base with two outs. A Kelly Linsley hit a trickle down the first base line scoring Cox and resulting in a single for Linsley. Shortstop Melody Harrell added the Bulldog's second run with a trip to right center, scoring Linsley from first. The Bulldogs added one more run in the third and tacked on its fourth run in the in fifth to seal the victory.

The Herd returns to action for its first night game of the season when it squares off against McNeese State at 8:30 p.m. at Jane B. Moore Field.

Gardner-Webb 4, Marshall University 2 (Feb 15, 2008 at Auburn, Ala.)----------------------------------------------------------------------Gardner-Webb........ 003 010 0 -  4  8  0      (2-0)Marshall University. 000 002 0 -  2  2  1      (3-4)----------------------------------------------------------------------Pitchers: Gardner-Webb - MURRAY. Marshall University - Jackson, Caitlyn; MITCHELL, Autumn(6).Win-MURRAY  Loss-JACKSON, Caitlyn(1-3)  T-1:49  A-73

Strong Pitching Leads Runnin' Bulldogs Past Marshall, 4-2

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Players Mentioned

Lacy Davidson

Rachel Folden

Caitlyn Jackson

Autumn Mitchell

Rachael Sofie

Melanie Stoehr

Marshall University Athletics

Strong Pitching Leads Runnin' Bulldogs Past Marshall, 4-2

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Next Event

Players Mentioned

Lacy Davidson

Rachel Folden

Caitlyn Jackson

Autumn Mitchell

Rachael Sofie

Melanie Stoehr

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