Herd Mercy Rules Memphis in Conference Opener

March 10, 2008

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - A nine-run sixth inning sealed a 13-2 victory for the Marshall Thundering Herd softball team over the Memphis Tigers in Monday afternoon's Conference USA opener at the Tiger Softball Complex.

With only a two-run lead, the Herd (9-10, 1-0 C-USA) registered eights hits resulting in nine runs to pick up its fourth mercy rule victory over the season. Marshall ace Caitlyn Jackson (4-6) pitched six solid innings surrendering two runs off four hits

Memphis (11-9, 0-1) held a one run lead heading into the third, before the Herd scored two runs in the fourth to regain the lead, which it extended in the sixth. Janelle Valle (6-3) was credited with the loss giving up 10 runs and 15 hits. Rayna McGlinton relieved Valle in the sixth, but walked three-straight Herd batters before Valle reentered the game.

Marshall started the game with a solo shot from senior All-American Rachel Folden to get the early 1-0 lead. It was the first time Marshall led off with a home run since Folden did it against Houston, May 15, 2007 in a 5-2 victory.

The Herd's Samantha Rodriguez and Melanie Stoehr each had solo home runs in the contest. Rodriguez hit her third home run of the season to tie the game at two in the third inning. Stoehr's second career homer started the offensive flurry in the sixth inning.

Rodriguez finished with a 2-for-2 performance with two runs and three RBIs. The Herd had five other hitters with two hits a piece. Folden's second hit of the game increased her conference leading double total to 12. Rachael Sofie and Melanie Stoehr finished with two RBIs each, while senior Deanna Tourville continues to lead all Herd hitters with 18 RBIs this season.

Marshall extended its winning streak against the Tigers to six games and snapped its four game losing skid.

The Herd and Tigers will conclude the doubleheader at 1:00 p.m. (CT) at the Tiger Softball Complex.

Marshall University 13, Memphis 2 (Mar 10, 2008 at Memphis, TN) (Game 1)----------------------------------------------------------------------Marshall University 101 029  - 13 15  1      (9-10, 1-0 C-USA)Memphis                 110 000  -  2  4  3      (11-9, 0-1 C-USA)----------------------------------------------------------------------Pitchers: Marshall University - Jackson, Caitlyn. Memphis - VALLE, J.; McCLINTON, R(7).Win-JACKSON, Caitlyn(4-6)  Loss-VALLE, J.(6-3)  T-1:58  A-0HR MARSHALL - Folden, Rachel (4); Rodriguez, Samantha (3); Stoehr, Melanie (2).McCLINTON, R faced 3 batters in the 6th.

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Players Mentioned

Rachel Folden

Caitlyn Jackson

Samantha Rodriguez

Rachael Sofie

Melanie Stoehr

Deanna Tourville

Marshall University Athletics