Marshall University Athletics
Marshall University
Ball State
Marshall Wins in Dramatic Fashion Over Ball State, 5-4
2/21/2009 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Feb. 21, 2009
ATHENS, Ga. - The Marshall University softball took advantage of four Ball State errors including the winning run on a throwing error winning the game, 5-4.
"We did exactly what we needed to do to put ourselves in a position to win this game with good at bats and then taking advantage of their mistakes in the seventh," head coach Shonda Stanton.
The Thundering Herd (7-4) broke its five-game streak of scoring first as the Cardinals (1-2) took a 1-0 in the second inning. Jen Reifschneider blasted a solo shot to right field for the first run of the game.
Marshall tried to respond in the bottom of the second with senior J.J. Bitner (Virginia Beach, Va.) got on with an infield single. Freshman Rebecca Gamby (Mount Victory, Ohio) and sophomore Melanie Stoehr (Tacoma, Wash.) reached on walks loading the bases but the team couldn't capitalize on the opportunity.
The Herd however would carry momentum into the third as freshman Alianna Telles (Sylmar, Calif.) started the inning with a triple to right field. Bitner then reached first on a fielder's choice.
With runners on the corners, junior Caitlyn Jackson (Ontario, Calif.) nailed a shot to left for a sacrifice fly allowing Telles to tag up and tie the game. Unfortunately, no more runs crossed the plate in the inning.
After a scoreless, fourth Ball State plated two runs taking a 3-1 advantage in the top of the fifth. The inning started with an Amanda Montalto walk.
Marshall collected the first two outs of the inning but Lisa Rozanski hit a shot over Bitner's head earning a triple that would score the first run. The second scored as Allie Pennock singled up the middle.
The lead for the Cardinals was short lived as the Herd used a three run inning to take a 4-3 edge after five innings of play.
Sophomore Jessica Hughes (Stillwater, Okla.) started the rally off with a single. Telles then notched her second hit of the day roping a shot to right for a double scoring Hughes and advancing Telles to third on a throwing error.
With the lead at just one, Jackson earned her 11th straight game with a hit singling to the outfield scoring both Telles and Bitner.
The lead would be short again as Ball State's Reifschneider homered to center field, tying the game at four going into the bottom of the sixth.
Junior Katie Murphree (Tallahassee, Fla.) left the game after the sixth with four strikeouts and two walks. Sophomore Rachel Rillo (Oxnard, Calif.) relieved Murphree for Marshall going one inning allowing no hits and one strikeout.
The bottom of the seventh would be the deciding factor in the game. After Hughes flied out, Telles walked and Bitner reached on a fielder's choice.
It would be the final error by the Cardinals as Jackson grounded to Alicia Barkley who threw out Telles at third. Kathryn Wilczynski attempted the double play at first going for Jackson but the throw was over Reifschneider's head giving Bitner a chance to score from second with a head first slide.
"JJ did not have any hesitation in reading the situation with a great slide to finish the game winning run," Stanton said.
Rillo was credited with her first win at Marshall while Elizabeth Milian earned her first loss of the year going 6.2 innings with five strikeouts. "It is awesome to continue to see different individuals step up and get the job done."
Telles finished the game going 2-for-3 with a double and first career triple. Bitner was the only other Herd player that finished with multiple hits going 2-for-3 with two runs.
"In order to go from a good team to a consistent force, we need to make adjustments earlier and play with more confidence," Stanton added. "We have a great deal of talent that needs to learn to play more as an aggressive, fiery ball club."
Marshall will now focus on tournament host No. 16/17 Georgia. The game is scheduled for a 6:00 p.m. EST start. For continuing coverage of all of the games this weekend at the Georgia Softball Classic, please visit http://www.georgiadogs.com/.
