Marshall University Athletics
Marshall University
Buffalo
Seven Run Third Inning Pushes Marshall Past Buffalo, 11-1
3/6/2009 12:00:00 AM | Softball
March 6, 2009
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. - The Marshall University softball team picked up where it left off with an onslaught of runs as they defeat Buffalo 11-1 Friday to wrap-up day one of the Marshall Softball Tournament at Dot Hicks Field.
After a 10-1 victory earlier against Canisius, the Thundering Herd (9-6) continued to swing the bats effectively plating 11 runs off of 10 hits.
"It was a great day today and I'm proud of even the little things," head coach Shonda Stanton said. "We need to keep getting quality at-bats and it seems every once and awhile we have a lapse in focus. I'm pleased as our home opening and we need to keep getting more to be the great team that we need to be."
It would be the Bulls (4-4) who would score first in the top of the second when Erin Zilka reached on an error and moved to second when Sharon Barr grounded out. Zilka moved the next two bases after a passed ball and a sacrifice fly by Terese Diaz.
Just as in the first game, Marshall's pitching and defense took control keeping Buffalo from plating anymore runs. Senior Autumn Mitchell (Shady Spring, W.Va.) picked up the win with four innings and four strikeouts.
The big third inning for the Herd started as junior Marcena Bertoldo (Beaumont, Calif.) walked and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by sophomore Jessica Hughes (Stillwater, Okla.).
Freshman Alianna Telles (Sylmar, Calif.) continued the inning with a walk followed by a double by senior Joscelyn Bitner (Virginia Beach, Va.) scoring Bertoldo. Marshall took its first lead of the game as junior Caitlyn Jackson (Ontario, Calif.) singled putting Marshall ahead 2-1.
After sophomore Melanie Stoehr (Tacoma, Wash.) walked, freshman Rebecca Gamby (Mount Victory, Ohio) was hit by a pitch scoring another run. Senior Kelly Nielson (Tucson, Ariz.) picked up two RBIs with a double.
After going through the line-up Bertoldo returned to the plate singling this time scoring Neilson and Bitner and extending the lead to 7-1 after three innings. In the fourth the lead would just get bigger as four more runs crossed putting the game at 11-1.
Bitner and Jackson started the inning with back-to-back singles. Stoehr came to the plate hitting a third consecutive single. Gamby then reached on an error scoring freshman Melissa Loesing (Grapevine, Texas) who was pinch running for Jackson.
Senior Rachael Sofie (Everett, Wash.) hit the innings fourth single scoring two runners. Sophomore Rachel Rillo (Oxnard, Calif.) relieved Mitchell in the fifth to end the game after five innings.
Bitner finished the game going 3-for-3 with two runs and an RBI. Four different players for the Herd finished with two RBIs apiece including Gamby, Sofie, Nielson and Bertoldo.
The Marshall Softball Tournament will continue Saturday morning as Delaware and Buffalo start the day with a 9 a.m. EST game. Marshall returns to the field at 1 p.m. EST against Buffalo and then against at 3 p.m. against Canisius.
All games at this weekend's tournament will bet broadcasted by WMUL 88.1 FM and online at http://www.marshall.edu/wmul . Gametracker will also be available for all games as well.
