Walk Off Home Run Carries Chattanooga Past Marshall, 6-5

March 2, 2008

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. - The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga's Michelle Fuzzard's walk off homer run lifted the Lady Mocs to a 6-5 victory over the Marshall Thundering Herd softball team, Sunday afternoon at the 2008 Frost Classic at Jim Frost Stadium.

Tied at five in the bottom of the seventh, Fuzzard hit her second homer of the season to left field to secure the game for the Mocs (11-8).

Marshall (8-10) finished the game with nine hits, three coming from All-American catcher Rachel Folden. She finished with two runs and an RBI, while Caitlyn Jackson and Rachael Sofie finished the game with two hits each.

Folden leads the Herd with a .455 average and during the Frost Classic she led the team by going 7-for-13 with a home run, double and two RBIs.

"Even though it was a frustrating weekend, there still were a lot positives that can be gained from this classic," Marshall Head Coach Shonda Stanton said. "As for the four tournaments, we didn't win as many games as we had hoped and intended to, but we look forward to a solid week of preparation as we open C-USA action against Memphis. We're excited to practice at the new Dot Hicks Field as we strive for a C-USA championship."

The Herd took the lead in the fifth, trailing 3-0 in the game. Infielders Marcena Bertoldo and Deanna Tourville reached on base with a hit by pitch and a base on balls, respectively, to put runners on first and second.

With two on and one out, All-American catcher Rachel Folden's clutch single up the middle scored Bertoldo from second, while Tourville went to third. Marshall capitalized with the two runners on when designated player Samantha Rodriguez sent a three-run homer over the right centerfield wall.

The Mocs would storm back in the bottom of the inning with two runs to regain the lead. Third baseman Toni Hutchison singled with one out to put the tying run on first. A Katie Blevins triple down the left field line that deflected off the wall and scored Hutchison from first. A deep fly ball to right field by Laci Upchurch scored Blevins.

Marshall would not go away in the seventh, when Folden led off the inning with a sharp hit single to left field. Rodriguez's chopper toward the first baseman resulted in her being tagged, but still managed to advance Folden to second. Caitlyn Jackson singled with a hit to the shortstop, who's throw was not in time to get the force on Jackson at first, while Folden remained on second.

Right fielder Rachael Sofie's third double of the season came at the perfect time to score Folden from third and placed two runners in scoring position. The Herd would be unable to gain anymore runs in the inning as a line out and strike out ended Marshall's inning.

Seniors Folden, Rodriguez and Deanna Tourville all homered during the 2008 Frost Classic with Tourville hitting three. She led all hitters this weekend with four RBIs. Jackson went 7-for-15 in four games with two RBIs and a double.

The Herd concluded tournament play at Chattanooga, Tenn., and will gear up for conference play with a doubleheader at Memphis, Saturday, March 8 at 1 p.m. (ET).

Chattanooga 6, Marshall University 5 (Mar 02, 2008 at Chattanooga, Tenn.)----------------------------------------------------------------------Marshall University 000 040 1 -  5  9  0      (8-10)Chattanooga     002 120 1 -  6  9  0      (11-8)----------------------------------------------------------------------Pitchers: Marshall University - Jackson, Caitlyn; MITCHELL, Autumn(6). Chattanooga -Brooke Loudermilk; Kandice Irwin(6).Win-Kandice Irwin(5-3)  Loss-MITCHELL, Autumn(4-3)  T-1:55  A-120HR MARSHALL - Rodriguez, Samantha (2).HR UTC - Michelle Fuzzard (2).Weather: Blue Skies Sunny 70's

Walk Off Home Run Carries Chattanooga Past Marshall, 6-5

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Players Mentioned

Marcena Bertoldo

Rachel Folden

Caitlyn Jackson

Samantha Rodriguez

Rachael Sofie

Deanna Tourville

Marshall University Athletics

Walk Off Home Run Carries Chattanooga Past Marshall, 6-5

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Players Mentioned

Marcena Bertoldo

Rachel Folden

Caitlyn Jackson

Samantha Rodriguez

Rachael Sofie

Deanna Tourville

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