Marshall University Athletics
Marshall University
Southern Miss
Baseball Falls To No. 28 Southern Miss, 5-0
5/4/2008 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
May 4, 2008
CHARLESTON, W.Va. - Marshall University's Tommy Johnson went 2-for-4, but No. 28 Southern Miss received a stellar performance from starter Barry Bowden (6-2) who had seven strikeouts to help pace the Golden Eagles to a 5-0 victory and series win over the Thundering Herd in Sunday afternoon's Conference USA baseball game at Appalachian Power Park.
With the loss, Marshall falls to 24-24-1 on the season, and 10-10-1 in conference action, while Southern Miss improves to 34-15 overall and 11-7 in league play.
Leading 3-0 in the seventh, Southern Miss added to its lead when James Ewing tripled off the wall in left center, plating Michael Ewing with the fourth run of the game. James then came around to score on an RBI single by Kyle Maxie to give the Golden Eagles a 5-0 lead.
Marshall made some noise in the seventh when Johnson ripped a two-out double to left field and Jeff Rowley earned a walk, but both runners were stranded.
The Herd got as far as third base in the eighth inning when Adam Yeager picked up a bunt-single and advanced to second on a throwing error. He then advanced to third on a fly out by Brandon Casamassima, but he too was left on.
Golden Eagles' reliever Wade Weathers pitched the final inning and a third and allowed just one hit, a single to Johnson in the ninth.
Herd starter Dan Straily (3-3) suffered the loss after pitching three strong innings, including a perfect third frame in which he struck out the side for three of his five strikeouts. Arik Sikula entered in relief of Straily in the sixth inning and allowed two runs on three hits, while striking out a pair in four innings on the hill.
Bowden picked up the win. He fanned seven batters, allowed just two hits and issued one free-pass.
After three scoreless innings, Southern Miss used an RBI double, a run-scoring single, and a wild pitch to post a 3-0 advantage.
Sunday marked the first time Marshall was held scoreless in a game this season, and was the first shutout loss since a 9-0 decision at Tulane on March 25 of last season.
Marshall will travel to Columbus, Ohio for a non-conference game against Ohio State, Wednesday, May 7, before returning home for a non-conference series against Delaware State. Wednesday's game is slated for 6:35 p.m. ET.
