Marshall University Athletics
Marshall University
Georgetown
Herd Finishes 2008 Regular-Season with Sweep Over Georgetown
5/3/2008 12:00:00 AM | Softball
May 3, 2008
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Junior pitcher Autumn Mitchell tossed a one-hitter against the Georgetown Hoyas to guide the Marshall Thundering Herd softball team to a 13-0 victory to conclude its 2008 regular-season, in Saturday afternoon's nonconference doubleheader finale at Guy Mason Field.
The Herd's (26-28) Mitchell (10-5) went 5.0 innings limiting the Hoyas to record her first career one-hit performance, while hurling five strikeouts for the Herd. Mitchell pitched a two-hitter in the Herd's second game of the season against the College of Charleston, Feb. 9, 2007.
The Hoyas' (21-35) Melissa Conners was credited with the loss after going three innings giving up 12 runs from nine hits with only half of those runs earned. Jennifer Connell, the losing pitching in game one, came in for relief in the fourth inning and closed out the final two innings for Georgetown allowing two hits and one run.
Marshall capitalized on Georgetown's five errors by adding 11 hits. Sophomore right fielder Caitlyn Jackson led the Herd with a 2-for-3 performance and three RBIs. Senior Samantha Rodriguez and Kelly Nielson each added two hits apiece.
The Herd scored five first inning runs to set the pace early. After Rachael Sofie reached on an error and advanced to second on a wild pitch, senior Deanna Tourville hit a RBI-single. Rodriguez hit the first of her two singles to advanced Tourville at third, placing runners on the corner. Another Conners' wild pitch scored Tourville from third and moved Rodriguez over to third. Rodriguez scored on the next play when Jackson singled through the right side. Marshall concluded its first inning scoring when Marcena Bertoldo grounded out, which scored Stoehr from third who reached base after being hit by a pitch.
A three-run second inning allowed the Herd to take an 8-0 lead. Joscelyn Bitner led off the second inning with a single to left field. After a fly out and fielder's choice, the Herd started its rally with Rodriguez's second single of the game, scoring Bitner. Jackson continued the rally with a two-RBI single scoring Tourville, who reached on the fielder's choice and Rodriguez.
The Herd achieved the mercy rule mark in the third frame with a four-run inning. Marshall collected three hits and capitalized on two Hoyas' errors to score the four runs and increase its lead to 12-0. The Herd capped off the scoring in the fourth inning with a Rachel Schmidt RBI-double.
Marshall will now travel to Houston, Texas to compete in the 2008 Conference USA Championship, Thursday May 8-11. For tickets or more information please check the conference website at www.conferenceusa.com.
