Marshall University Athletics
Marshall University
IUPUI
Thundering Herd Outruns Jaguars, 4-2
2/20/2009 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Feb. 20, 2009
ATHENS, Ga. - The Marshall University softball team picked up a second win Friday with a 4-2 final over IUPUI in the team's second game at the Georgia Softball Classic.
Three different Thundering Herd (6-4) players finished with two hits each. The list includes sophomore Melanie Stoehr (Tacoma, Wash.) and freshmen Alianna Telles (Sylmar, Calif.) and Melissa Loesing (Grapevine, Texas). Loesing's hit in the fifth was the first of her college career.
"It is great to see individual players make adjustments and improve, but as a team I am still frustrated with our inability to put the game away," head coach Shonda Stanton said.
Marshall would jump on the Jaguars (0-5) early with one run in the first inning. Telles earned her first hit of the day with a leadoff single and stole second base. Senior J.J. Bitner grounded out but moved Telles to third.
Junior Caitlyn Jackson (Ontario, Calif.) hit a shot to IUPUI's third baseman Amy Raker, who would bobble the ball allowing Jackson to reach first and Telles to score. Jackson stole second base but was never able to advance to end the inning.
The Jaguars responded in the bottom of the third inning tying the game at one. Leah Prewitt was hit by a pitch followed by a Cassie Harvey single to short stop. Cassie's twin sister, Cayleigh Harvey singled to load the bases with no outs.
The Herd recorded the out number one with a force out at the plate. IUPUI scored on the next play as Mai Ettl hit a ball towards Telles who couldn't control the shot scoring Prewitt. Marshall closed the inning with another force out at the plate and a tag by Telles.
For the second time today, the Herd used the fourth inning to separate themselves from its opponents scoring two runs as the bats came alive. Jackson started the inning with her 10th straight game with a hit.
After stealing second, Jackson was hit home on a single by freshman Rebecca Gamby. Freshman Samantha Spurlock (Huntington, W.Va.) pinch ran for Gamby but she wouldn't be there long as Stoehr ripped a double to center pushing the lead to two.
In the fifth, the Jaguars cut Marshall lead to one when Sarah Oppelt walked and Ettl singled. Both advanced on a wild pitch by Jackson. After a ground out, Raker singled scoring Oppelt putting the game at 3-2.
With the game close, Stoehr added an insurance run in the sixth with a solo home run. After sitting out last weekend, Stoehr continues to keep her average at .500 and took the team lead in RBIs with eight on the year.
"It is great to have Mel back in the line-up picking up right where she left off in Vegas," Stanton said.
Jackson finished the game and stifling any more attempts by IUPUI to cut into the lead. She finished with four strikeouts and two earned runs. For the Jaugars, Jessica McGown took the loss after six innings with four earned runs.
Marshall will have the rest of the day to get ready for two more game scheduled for Saturday. The day will start with an 11:00 a.m. EST match against former Mid-American Conference opponent Ball State and a 5:00 p.m. EST showdown with tournament host Georgia.
"Tomorrow we need to take better care of the ball," Stanton said. "I am excited about this club to see how we continue to come together."
For continuing coverage of all of the games this weekend at the Georgia Softball Classic, please visit http://www.georgiadogs.com/.
