Kentucky Outscores Marshall Softball, 10-4

March 1, 2008

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. - Despite a three-run first inning, the Marshall Thundering Herd softball team was unable to keep its lead and fell to the University of Kentucky, 10-4, Saturday morning at the 2008 Frost Classic at Jim Frost Stadium.

Sophomore Caitlyn Jackson led the Herd hitters with three hits, a run and an RBI. Senior Deanna Tourville recorded her third home run of the season with a solo shot over the left field wall.

"I can't figure out how we can come out and score three runs in the first inning and not keep that aggressiveness and drive throughout the game," Marshall Head Coach Shonda Stanton said. "Even though the scoreboard says we had two errors we had way too many mental mistakes."

Trailing 10-3 in the seventh, Marshall tried cutting into the Wildcat lead when second baseman Tourville homered to start the inning. Senior catcher Rachel Folden hit a high fly ball to center, which was mishandled by the Wildcat's centerfielder sending her to second. Next up was Jackson, who fired a shot up the middle that deflected off the pitcher resulting in her third hit of the game. The final two hitters would be put out by Kentucky and were unable to get any closer than 10-4.

Marshall jumped on the board in the top half of the first to take a 3-0 lead. Folden and Samantha Rodriguez registered back-to-back walks to put runners on first and second. Jackson took advantage with Folden in scoring position and doubled to left field scoring the All-American catcher.

A play later, Rodriguez scored from a Melanie Stoehr single to left field. Jackson, who started on second, also scored on the play on an error by the left fielder giving the Herd the third score of the game.

Kentucky retaliated in the first with four runs of its own on a three-hit inning. The Wildcats started with a walk from catcher Megan Yocke. A double from Molly Johnson scored Yocke from first and put Johnson into scoring position. Destinee Mordecai single, which was followed by a Ashley Dimkich homerun resulting in a Kentucky 4-3 lead.

The Wildcats enhanced its lead to 8-3 in the third with another four-run inning. Kentucky used four hits culminated by a Meagan Aull three-run home run to right center. Kentucky added runs in the fifth and sixth to round out their scoring.

Kentucky was led by Mordecai and Dimkich as both hitters tallied three hits, while Dimkich had three RBIs in the contest.

The Wildcats now hold a 7-2 advantage all-time against the Herd.

There has been a change in schedule due to Friday's rain fall. Marshall returns to action at 6:30 p.m. against Buffalo at Chattanooga State Stadium. The originally scheduled contest between Jackson State at 2:15 p.m. has been cancelled. The Herd will also pick up an extra game, Sunday when Marshall squares off against Wright State at 8 a.m. and concludes the classic with its showdown with host, Chattanooga at 2:15 p.m.

GameTracker will not be provided for tonight's game against Buffalo, but will be for both Sunday's games. Please continue to check the website for updates.

Kentucky 10, Marshall University 4 (Mar 1, 2008 at Chattanooga, Tenn.)----------------------------------------------------------------------Marshall University 300 000 1 -  4  7  2      (8-7)Kentucky        404 011 X - 10 12  3      (7-7)----------------------------------------------------------------------Pitchers: Marshall University - Mitchell, Autumn; JACKSON, Caitlyn(1). Kentucky - Matousek,AmberWin-Matousek,Amber(3-4)  Loss-JACKSON, Caitlyn(3-5)  T-2:06  A-75HR MARSHALL - Tourville, Deanna (3).HR UK - Dimkich, Ashley (1); Aull,Meagan (1).

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Players Mentioned

Rachel Folden

Caitlyn Jackson

Samantha Rodriguez

Melanie Stoehr

Deanna Tourville

Marshall University Athletics