Wildcat's Six-Run Fourth Inning Denies Herd Rally

March 27, 2008

TUCSON, Ariz. - Despite a leadoff home run from Marshall University senior All-American Rachel Folden the Thundering Herd dropped game two in a non-conference doubleheader to No. 10 Arizona, 11-5, Tuesday evening at Rita Hillenbrand Memorial Stadium.

With the win, Marshall falls to 12-20, while Arizona improves to 23-8.

"In spite of the result, I was pleased with the adjustments that were made from the first game to second," Marshall head coach Shonda Stanton said. "We'll now turn our focus and efforts with our series against UCF."

Marshall's Erin DeStefano (2-5) fell victim to the Wildcat offensive flurry surrendering 11 runs from 12 hits in 3.1 innings pitched. Junior Autumn Mitchell came in for relief in the fourth and closed out the remaining 3.2 innings.

Arizona's Lindsey Sisk started the game for the Wildcats and went 3.2 innings giving up two runs off five hits. Ace Taryne Mowatt (12-6), who picked up the win in the first game, pitched in relief and allowed three runs off four hits and three walks.

The leadoff shot by Folden was the fifth home run of the season and her 46th career, increasing her all-time record to 19 above second place, Leigh Wintter. It also marks the second time this season Folden has started the game off with a home run.

Leading 1-0, the Wildcats answered in the bottom of the second with a four-run inning. The Wildcats used five hits including two home runs to take the lead.

Marshall senior Samantha Rodriguez cut the deficit in half to 4-2 in the top of the third after the Herd's second solo home run of the game. It was Rodriguez's 7th shot this season, a team-high, and her 26th of her career.

The seven-hit six run fourth inning started out with three-straight singles before Janae Leles blasted a three-run RBI home run. The Wildcat's Laine Roth also homered capping off the inning and increasing Arizona's lead to 11-2.

Trailing 11-2, Marshall started a comeback when it rallied to score three runs in the top of the fifth inning. After loading the bases with one out, Marcena Bertoldo was hit by a pitch scoring in the first run. After a Herd strikeout, Deanna Tourville recorded a RBI walk. Folden finished the Herd scoring with a RBI single up the middle.

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 11, Marshall University 5 (Mar 26, 2008 at Tucson, Ariz.) (Game 2)----------------------------------------------------------------------Marshall University. 101 030 0 -  5  9  2      (12-20)Arizona............. 041 600 X - 11 13  2      (23-8)----------------------------------------------------------------------Pitchers: Marshall University - DeStefano, Erin; MITCHELL, Autumn(4). Arizona - Sisk, Lindsey;Mowatt, Taryne(4).Win-Mowatt, Taryne(12-6)  Loss-DESTEFANO, Erin(2-5)  T-1h 57min  A-2445HR MARSHALL - Folden, Rachel (5); Rodriguez, Samantha (7).HR ARIZ - Leles, Jenae; Chambers, Stacie; Roth, Laine; Balko, Callista.

Wildcat's Six-Run Fourth Inning Denies Herd Rally

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Players Mentioned

Marcena Bertoldo

Erin DeStefano

Rachel Folden

Autumn Mitchell

Samantha Rodriguez

Deanna Tourville

Marshall University Athletics

Wildcat's Six-Run Fourth Inning Denies Herd Rally

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Players Mentioned

Marcena Bertoldo

Erin DeStefano

Rachel Folden

Autumn Mitchell

Samantha Rodriguez

Deanna Tourville

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