Knights Use Extra Inning to Down Marshall, 7-1

March 30, 2008

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. - Despite a leadoff home run in the bottom of the first inning by senior All-American catcher Rachel Folden, the Marshall University Thundering Herd softball team lost 7-1 in the eighth inning to visiting Central Florida in the three-game series finale, Sunday afternoon at Dot Hicks Field.

The Herd (12-23, 4-7 C-USA) and Knights (30-14, 9-3) were tied at one for six-straight innings before the Knights scored six runs in the eighth inning.

"We're just finding ways to lose the game," Shonda Stanton said. "We have the ability and talents to do great things and the team is going to continue on fighting."

The Baldwin Park, Calif., native, Folden led off the game with her seventh blast of the season. It marks the third time this season she has started the game for the Herd with a home run. She now has 48 home runs and continues to extend her all-time mark.

Folden's solo shot tied the game at one as the Knights scored in the top half of the first inning. The Knights right fielder Marquita Council began the game with a leadoff walk. After advancing to second on a Tiffany Lane ground out, Council scored on the next play from a Breanne Javer RBI double.

Tied at one, the game turned into a pitching duel between the Knights Allison Kime (17-7) and Marshall's Caitlyn Jackson (5-14).

Heading into the eighth inning, the tie would be broken. Javier started the inning off when she reached on a error by a Herd infielder. A bunt single by Hillary Barrow followed by a hit by a pitch loaded the bases for the Knights with no outs.

Pitcher Kime helped herself out when she reached safely on a fielder's choice scoring the eventual winning-run, Javier from third. The Knights finished the inning with three hits scoring six runs to take a commanding 7-1 lead.

The Herd was unable to score in its portion of the eighth inning.

Marshall finished the contest with six hits from six different players. Folden led all hits with a perfect on-base percentage as she homered and picked up three walks.

The Herd will now take a mid-week break from conference action to travel to Columbus, Ohio for a non-conference doubleheader against Ohio State, Wednesday, April 2 5 p.m. (ET). Marshall returns to conference play against East Carolina, Saturday, April 5 at 1 p.m. (ET).

UCF 7, Marshall University 1 (Mar 30, 2008 at Huntington, W.Va.)----------------------------------------------------------------------UCF................. 100 000 06 -  7  8  2      (30-14, 9-3)Marshall University. 100 000 00 -  1  6  3      (12-25, 4-7)----------------------------------------------------------------------Pitchers: UCF - KIME, Allison. Marshall University - Jackson, Caitlyn; MITCHELL, Autumn(8).Win-KIME, Allison(17-7)  Loss-JACKSON, Caitlyn(5-14)  T-2:05  A-189HR MARSHALL - Folden, Rachel (7).Weather: Overcast

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Players Mentioned

Rachel Folden

Caitlyn Jackson

Marshall University Athletics