Grand Slam Powers No. 10 Arizona Past Herd, 9-1

March 26, 2008

TUCSON, Ariz. - University of Arizona's Stacie Chambers fourth inning grand slam lifted the Wildcats over the Thundering Herd softball team, 9-1 during game one of a non-conference doubleheader Tuesday evening at Rita Hillenbrand Memorial Stadium.

With two-outs and the bases loaded, Chambers blasted her ninth home run of the season and her second career grand slam to put the game out of reach for the Herd in the fourth. Leading 4-1, Adrienne Acton walked, which was followed by a Lauren Lastrape single. Back-to-back walks loaded the bases and score Acton giving the Wildcats a 5-1 lead. Chambers base clearing homer increased Arizona's margin to 9-1.

"It's a great opportunity to come out here and compete against such a storied program," Marshall head coach Shonda Stanton said. "I'm very disappointed with our team and the way they came out and played tonight during game one."

Marshall (12-19) received its only hit of the game from shortstop Kelly Nielson, a home run to left center. Sophomore pitcher Caitlyn Jackons (5-12) picked up the loss after going all five innings surrendering nine runs.

Arizona's (22-8) Taryne Mowatt earned the complete-game win in five innings giving up one hit.

The Wildcats opened the game with a three-run first inning after a posting three hits. Brittany Lastrapes led off UA's portion of the inning with a single followed by a Schutzler single up the middle. A failed pick off attempted advanced both base runners placing them in scoring position.

With no outs, Janae Leles doubled down the right field line, which freshman first baseman Melanie Stoehr couldn't glove scoring both Schutzler and Lastrapes. The Wildcats added one more run when Laine Roth grounded out scoring Leles, who reached third on a previous ground out.

Trailing 3-0, the Herd answered in the bottom of the second with Nieslon's solo shot to right center. With two-outs and a 1-0 count, the Tucson native blasted her third homer of the season.

The Herd returns home from its seven-game road trip and will host C-USA foe, UCF for a three-game series beginning, Saturday March 29 at 1 p.m. (ET).

Arizona 9, Marshall University 1 (Mar 26, 2008 at Tucson, Ariz.) (Game 1)----------------------------------------------------------------------Marshall University. 010 00 -  1  1  1      (12-19)Arizona............. 310 5X -  9  7  1      (22-8)----------------------------------------------------------------------Pitchers: Marshall University - Jackson, Caitlyn. Arizona - Mowatt, Taryne.Win-Mowatt, Taryne(11-6)  Loss-JACKSON, Caitlyn(5-12)  T-1h 18min  A-0HR MARSHALL - Nielson, Kelly (3).HR ARIZ - Chambers, Stacie.Weather: Blue Skies and Gorgeous

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Kelly Nielson

Melanie Stoehr

Marshall University Athletics