No. 1 Arizona State Sweeps By Herd, 13-1

March 26, 2008

TEMPE, Ariz. - Senior Rachel Folden recorded her 17th double of the season in a losing effort as the Marshall Thundering Herd was swept by Arizona State University, 13-1 in a non-conference doubleheader, Tuesday evening at Farrington Stadium.

"You have to give it up ASU, they came out and adjusted at the plate," Marshall head coach Shonda Stanton said. "They showed us why they are the No. 1 team in the nation. We need to close out innings especially in the first game when we gave up unearned runs."

Marshall (12-18) was led by Folden who recorded the Herd's lone double and walk in the game. Marshall's final hit was from Deanna Tourville, a single to the shortstop.

The Herd's Erin DeStefano (2-4) surrendered eight runs, while ASU's (36-2) Amanda Nesbitt received a five inning two-hitter.

The Herd took a quick 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning when Folden scored her 29th run of the season. The Baldwin Park, Calif., ripped her 61st double of her career and advanced to third on a throwing error by the right fielder.

After fellow senior Samantha Rodriguez was hit by a pitch, sophomore left fielder Cailtyn Jackson hit a sacrifice fly resulting in her 21st RBI this season.

The Sun Devils answered in its bottom half of the inning with five runs. ASU used five hits in the inning, four singles, a double and a base on balls to score in the five runs. Ashley Muenz recorded her fifth double of the season and registered her fourth RBI of the season.

ASU extended its lead to 12-1 with a seven-run second inning. The Sun Devils used four of its 10 hits in the second to put the game out of reach for Marshall. The Sun Devils added its final run of the game in the fifth when pinch hitter Sarah Rice singled scoring Clarissa Anderfor- Lo.

Arizona State captured the victory in game one, when it held the Herd scoreless through seven innings, 5-0. The Sun Devil's Megan Elliot picked up her 14th win of the season, while the Herd's Jackson was credited with the loss.

The Herd will conclude its seven-game road wing when it travels to Tucson, Ariz., for a doubleheader against No. 8 Arizona, Wednesday, at 8 p.m. (ET). GameTracker will be provided for both games.

Arizona State 13, Marshall University 1 (Mar 25, 2008 at Tempe, Ariz.)----------------------------------------------------------------------Marshall University. 100 00 -  1  2  4      (12-18)Arizona State....... 570 1X - 13 10  1      (36-2)----------------------------------------------------------------------Pitchers: Marshall University - DeStefano, Erin; MITCHELL, Autumn(2); RILLO, Rachel(4).Arizona State - Nesbitt.Win-Nesbitt(5-0)  Loss-DESTEFANO, Erin(2-4)  T-1:27  A-944Weather: Clear, cool and purrrfect

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Erin DeStefano

Rachel Folden

Samantha Rodriguez

Deanna Tourville

Marshall University Athletics