Marshall University Athletics
Marshall Softball Opens Season On the Road at Georgia
2/7/2008 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Feb. 7, 2008
Complete Release in PDF Format 
ATHENS, Ga. - The Marshall University Thundering Herd softball team travels to Athens, Ga., to participate in the Red/Black Showcase hosted by the University Georgia from Friday, Feb. 8-10.
Marshall begins its quest for a postseason berth at its first of four tournaments. The three-team, four day tournament will give Marshall two chances at each team. The Herd opens the tournament against No. 10(USA Today)/8 (ESPN.com) DePaul at noon and concludes Friday action against College of Charleston at 2 p.m.
The Herd returns with arguably its best offensive line-up ever. With the Return of three-time All-American and 2007 Conference-USA First-Team nominee, Rachel Folden anything is possible for the Herd during its 2008 campaign. Folden is a career .400 hitter and was recently named to the Amateur Softball Association "Watch List."
Joining Folden in the line-up is senior teammate Samantha Rodriguez and sophomore pitcher/outfielder Caitlyn Jackson. Rodriguez finished 2007 with a team-leading 55 RBI's and 17 doubles. Her third-best .351 batting average helped her to a C-USA second-team selection. Jackson was a 2007 C-USA All-Freshman selection and will be the Herd's starting pitcher at the showcase. She had a .295 batting average and will start in right field when not on the mound.
For the second time in school history Marshall will open the season against a nationally-ranked opponent. The Herd began the 2005 season with a 5-0 win over No. 24 Southern Illinois at the Triple Crown Classic in St. Augustine, Fla. The DePaul Blue Demons participated in the NCAA Women's College World Series and has Sandy Vojik, a utility senior, and sophomore pitcher Becca Heteniak on the ASA Player of the Year Watch list to lead them in 2008.
The College of Charleston Cougars return seven starters and have nine newcomers to complete its 2008 roster. Kristie Shifflet and Terri Mesko will guide the Cougars at the showcase. Shifflet held a .333 batting average in 2007 as a freshman and Mesko earned an 18-13 record on the mound for CofC in 2007.
Marshall battles Georgia Saturday, Feb. 9 at 2 p.m. and Sunday, Feb. 10 at 2 p.m. Georgia, a NCAA Regional participant, has a young team with 11 newcomers. Junior pitcher Christie Hamilton is expected to be the Bulldog's ace on the mound as she enters the season with the most experience with a 15-14 record and a 2.97 ERA in 2007.
A full list of games for the tournament can be found below and live stats will be available at www.georgiadogs.com.
2008 Red & Black Showcase Schedule of Games:Friday, February 812 p.m. Marshall vs. DePaul2 p.m. CofC vs. Marshall4 p.m. DePaul vs. Georgia6 p.m. CofC vs. Georgia
Saturday, February 910 a.m. Marshall vs. College of Charleston12 p.m. College of Charleston vs. DePaul2 p.m. Georgia vs. Marshall4 p.m. Georgia vs. DePaul
Sunday, February 1010 a.m. Marshall vs. DePaul12 p.m. DePaul vs. CofC2 p.m. Georgia vs. Marshall4 p.m. Georgia vs. CofC
