Herd Offense Powers Past Furman, 11-3

Feb. 16, 2008

AUBURN, Ala. - The Marshall Thundering Herd softball team shook off a three run deficit with an eight run fourth inning to cruise to an 11-3 victory over the Furman Paladins at the Tiger Invitational, Saturday afternoon at Jane B. Moore Field.

Marshall (5-4) finished the contest with 12 hits with seven of them coming in the Herd's explosive fourth inning. The inning was culminated by a three run Kelly Nielson double.

The Lady Paladins (1-4) scored three runs in the first inning on a three run home run from Brythe Blankenship to score their only runs of the game.

The Herd was led by senior second baseman Deanna Tourville who went 2-for-3 with two RBIs and had a solo home run in the third to cut the Furman lead to 3-2. Tourville earned her second RBI when she added to the Herd lead in the fourth with a single and finished with a stolen base.

"I'm very proud of the way we fought back to win this game, but I'm disappointed with the way we keep giving up early leads," Marshall head coach Shonda Stanton said. "We had a lot of people step up for us today including Deanna, who was spectacular for us and that's what we expect from her on an everyday basis."

Junior pitcher Autumn Mitchell picked up her second win of the tournament and third of the season after going four innings and surrendering three runs off five hits.

Junior transfer Kelly Nielson led Marshall with four RBIs in the game with a 2-for-3 performance.

Down 3-0, the Herd chipped away at Furman's lead and cut the deficit to 3-2 by the end of the third inning. Marshall's fourth inning started with a Melanie Stoehr single to left center, which she would later advance to second on a Marcena Bertoldo single to center. Marshall would load the bases from a junior Kristina Knecht hit-by-pitch. The Herd capitalized on the opportunity with a Tourville single scoring Stoehr, which kept the bases loaded.

All-American catcher Rachel Folden hit a sacrifice fly scoring Bertoldo and fellow senior Samantha Rodriguez followed with a single through the left side scoring Knecht from third. Caitlyn Jackson kept the two out rally going with a double, scoring Rodriguez and Tourville. A Rachael Sofie single and a Stoehr walk loaded the bases with two outs for Nielson. The Tucson, Ariz., native, Nielson, slammed a bases clearing double, scoring three and increased the Herd lead to 10-3.

The Herd mercy ruled the Paladins in the fifth on a wild pitch, which scored Bertoldo, who started off the inning with a single.

Furman's Lana Mackey was credited with the loss after going .2 innings surrendering seven runs off six hits.

The 11-3 victory marks the second time this season the Herd has scored in double digits. The Herd defeated the College Of Charleston, 12-2, Feb. 8 during tournament action at the Red/Black Showcase at Athens, Ga. The Herd mercy ruled the Cougars in the second game, Feb. 9, 8-1 at the showcase.

The Herd is now 2-1 at the Tiger Invitational with a come from behind victory, Friday night against McNeese State, 8-7. Marshall dropped its opener against Gardner-Webb, 4-2.

Marshall concludes Saturday action against host Auburn at 3 p.m. (CT).

Marshall University 11, Furman 3 (Feb 16, 2008 at Auburn, Ala.)----------------------------------------------------------------------Furman..............       300 00 -  3  5  1      (1-4)Marshall University. 011 81 - 11 12  0      (5-4)----------------------------------------------------------------------Pitchers: Furman - Ullrich; Mackey(5). Marshall University - Mitchell, Autumn;DESTEFANO, Erin(5).Win-MITCHELL, Autumn(3-0)  Loss-Mackey  T-1h 27min  A-58HR FURMAN - Blankenship.HR MARSHALL - Tourville, Deanna.

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Players Mentioned

Marcena Bertoldo

Rachel Folden

Caitlyn Jackson

Kristina Knecht

Autumn Mitchell

Kelly Nielson

Samantha Rodriguez

Rachael Sofie

Melanie Stoehr

Deanna Tourville

Marshall University Athletics