Marshall University Athletics
Marshall University
Georgia
Sixth Inning Rally Lifts Georgia Past Marshall, 7-4
2/9/2008 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Feb. 9, 2008
ATHENS, Ga. - The Marshall Thundering Herd softball team couldn't withstand a late Georgia run and fell to the Bulldogs, 7-4 Saturday afternoon at the Red/Black Showcase hosted by the University of Georgia.
Marshall (3-1) finished with seven hits in the contest, three of them coming from pitcher Caitlyn Jackson. The Ontario, Calif., native went 3-for-3 with two RBIs. On the defensive end she suffered her first loss of the season in her second-consecutive complete game effort, and is now 1-1 on the year.
Georgia (3-0) earned three runs in the bottom portion of the sixth inning to stay undefeated in tournament play. The Bulldogs also improved on its all -time mark against the Herd to 8-1.
The Herd received its first two runs in the top half of the third inning when Samantha Rodriguez got the Marshall rally started with a walk. Sophomore Jackson advanced Rodriguez with a single, while Rachael Sofie advanced the runners with a ground ball to first base. Freshman first baseman Melanie Stoehr recorded her second career RBI when she hit into a fielder's choice scoring Rodriguez from third. The Herd capped off the inning when Jackie Jaegle singled up the middle scoring Jackson, cutting the Bulldog lead to 3-2.
Georgia extended its lead to 4-2 in the bottom half of the inning when the Bulldogs loaded the bases with one out. Georgia's first baseman Brianna Hesson singled, but could only manage one run. Marshall's Jackson forced the next two batters to line out and ground out respectively ending the Bulldog's chances at increasing their lead.
Down 4-2, Marshall stormed back in the fourth with a Kristina Knecht single into shallow left field. Knecht would make it to third on the next play after Deanna Tourville sent a screamer over the Bulldog's right fielder's head resulting in a double. Georgia walked Rodriguez loading the bases for Jackson with one out who singled up the middles scoring both Knecht and Tourville tying the game at four.
Georgia took the lead for the final time in the sixth inning with a five hit three run effort to clinch the game. Three consecutive singles and a sacrifice fly by third baseman Alisa Goler started the scoring for the Bulldogs. They would tack on two more runs to finish the inning.
The Bulldogs were led by Goler and her 2-for-3 performance with four RBIs. Teammate Hesson chipped two more RBIs for Georgia as she went 2-for-4 during the game.
Earlier in the day, the Herd completed its sweep against the College of Charleston with a 9-1 victory, mercy ruling the Cougars in the fifth inning. Marshall was led by Tourville and her five RBIs.
Marshall concludes tournament play at the Red/Black Showcase, Sunday, Feb. 10 when it plays DePaul at 10 a.m. (ET) and will try to get revenge against the host institution Georgia in the tournament finale at 2 p.m. (ET).
Score by Innings R H EMarshall University 002 200 0 - 4 7 1Georgia 301 003 X - 7 10 0
