Herd Softball Overpowers UTEP in Game One, 6-0

March 21, 2008

El Paso, Texas - Marshall senior Samantha Rodriguez's three-run fifth inning home run led the Herd to a 6-0 victory over host University of Texas at El Paso in game one of a Conference USA doubleheader at Helen of Troy Field, Friday.

The Oakley, Calif., native finished the game with three RBIs, a home run and a triple. Rodriguez tripled in the first inning, the first of her career.

Outfielders Rachael Sofie and Kristina Knecht tallied multi-hit performances and Sofie went 3-for-4 with a double and Knecht finished 2-for-3.

Marshall's (11-15, 3-3 C-USA) Caitlyn Jackson (5-9) pitched five shutout innings surrendering only three hits and striking out four. Junior Autumn Mitchell came in for relief in the 6th inning and held the Miners to only one hit in the final two innings. The Shady Spring, W.Va., native also earned a walk in her first collegiate plate appearance.

UTEP's (20-11, 3-4 C-USA) Stacie Townsend was credited with the loss after going 5.1 innings giving up five runs and six hits.

The Herd struck first in the second when junior Kelly Nielson battled UTEP's Townsend to a two-out walk. Marcena Bertoldo continued the rally with a single down the first base line that squirted away from the Miner's first baseman, advancing Nielson all the way to third base from first. Marshall gambled on the next play when Bertoldo stole second base scoring Nielson.

Marshall increased its lead in the third when a one-out double from senior catcher Rachel Folden put the Herd in a prime offensive position. Folden advanced to third on a ground out from Rodriguez. Jackson reached on an error by the Miner's second baseman scoring Folden and giving the Herd the 2-0 advantage.

Leading 2-0, the Miners threatened to score in the bottom of the fourth inning when it placed runners on the corners with two outs. UTEP's Ashley Ellis started the two out rally with a shallow blooper to center field. She was moved over to third when Ashley Perez lined a shot in the gap into right center. The Herd defense stiffened up when Marshall's Folden fired a shot to first base picking off Perez and ending the inning.

The four-run fifth inning started with a Knecht single, her second of the day. A Deanna Tourville sacrifice bun advanced Knecht into scoring position. After a Folden walk, Rodriguez blasted her fifth home run of the season to left center. Rodriguez has recorded a home run in the back-to-back games.

With a 5-0 lead, the Herd used back-to-back doubles from Sofie and Melanie Stoehr to increase the margin to 6-0.

The shutout win was the first for Marshall since a 1-0 defeat against Memphis, May 11, 2007 at the C-USA Tournament.

The Herd increased the all-time series against the Miners to 5-3. Last victory at UTEP for the Herd occurred, April 9, 2006 with Marshall cruising to a 9-4 win.

The Herd continued its scoring success in the fifth inning as it now has scored 35 runs alone in the fifth. Its the most runs the Herd has scored in one inning. The fourth inning is second with 30 runs, while the third inning follows with 21.

The Herd and Miners will conclude the doubleheader at approximately 7:15 p.m. (ET).

Marshall University 6, UTEP 0 (Mar 21, 2008 at El Paso, Texas) (Game 1)----------------------------------------------------------------------Marshall University.    011 040 0 -  6 10  0      (11-15, 3-3)UTEP................    000 000 0 -  0  4  2      (20-11, 3-4)----------------------------------------------------------------------Pitchers: Marshall University - Jackson, Caitlyn; MITCHELL, Autumn(6). UTEP - TOWNSEND,S.;CURRAN,K.(5).Win-JACKSON, Caitlyn(5-9)  Loss-TOWNSEND,S.(9-6)  T-1:49  A-0HR MARSHALL - Rodriguez, Samantha.

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Players Mentioned

Marcena Bertoldo

Rachel Folden

Caitlyn Jackson

Kristina Knecht

Autumn Mitchell

Kelly Nielson

Samantha Rodriguez

Rachael Sofie

Melanie Stoehr

Deanna Tourville

Marshall University Athletics