#13 Houston Defeats Marshall, 9-1

March 16, 2008

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. - Samantha Rodriguez recorded her fourth home run of the season, but it wasn't enough as No. 13 Houston completed its three-game sweep against Marshall, Sunday afternoon at Dot Hicks Field.

"A hit by pitch, walk, error and three run homer pretty much sums up the weekend against Houston," Marshall head coach Shonda Stanton said. "Hats off to Houston as they came out and were ready to play."

Marshall (10-14, 2-3 C-USA) recorded two hits in the contest. Rodriguez denied Houston's Angel Shamblin's (14-1) attempt at a no-hitter in the fourth when she pulled a one-out homer to left field. Junior Rachael Sofie followed with a single down the right field line, but that would round out the Herd's hits in the contest.

Sophomore Caitlyn Jackson (4-9) made her 17th appearance in the pitching circle and recorded five strike outs increasing her season total to 35. She surrendered five earned runs in 4.1 innings. Sophomore Erin DeStefano came in for relief in the fifth and pitched the remainder of the game, giving up two earned runs. < shamblin="" earned="" her="" second="" win="" of="" the="" weekend="" after="" pitching="" five="" innings="" giving="" up="" a="" run="" and="" two="" hits.="" she="" also="" garnered="" five="">

The Cougars scored two runs in the first when Jessica Valis opened the game with a triple to left center. Houston would eventually load the bases on a fielder's choice and a walk. A Laurie Wagner walked scored the Cougar's first run of the game and capped the scoring in the first inning with an error by a Herd infielder.

Leading 2-0, Houston added another run in the fourth when Amanda Grote opened the inning with a solo home run to right center.

The Herd would cut the deficit back down to two when Rodriguez connected on the Shamblin pitch. The Cougars answered in the fifth with a five run inning to secure the lead. With an 8-1 advantage, Houston scored another run in the sixth to put the mercy rule into effect.

Marshall returns to the field for a seven-game road trip, which starts with a three-game series against UTEP, Friday March 21 at 3 p.m. During the road swing the Herd will also play Arizona and Arizona State.

Pictures from the weekend series against Houston, including opening day ceremonies can be purchased online at www.HerdZone.com.

Houston 9, Marshall University 1 (Mar 16, 2008 at Huntington, W.Va.)----------------------------------------------------------------------Houston.............    200 151  -  9  9  0      (25-3, 3-0)Marshall University.    000 100  -  1  2  2      (10-15, 2-3)----------------------------------------------------------------------Pitchers: Houston - SHAMBLIN; LOTT(6). Marshall University - Jackson, Caitlyn;DESTEFANO, Erin(5).Win-SHAMBLIN(14-1)  Loss-JACKSON, Caitlyn(4-9)  T-1h 41min  A-283HR HOU - WAGNER; GROTE; VALIS, H..HR MARSHALL - Rodriguez, Samantha (4).Weather: Partly Cloudy

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Players Mentioned

Erin DeStefano

Caitlyn Jackson

Samantha Rodriguez

Rachael Sofie

Marshall University Athletics