Marshall University Athletics
Marshall University
Buffalo
Buffalo Beats Marshall, 5-2
3/7/2009 12:00:00 AM | Softball
March 7, 2009
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. - The Marshall University softball was able to score early but it would be a big fifth innings from the University at Buffalo that gave them a 5-2 win Saturday in the Marshall Softball Tournament at Dot Hicks Field.
"Yesterday I was proud of the little things and today it was those little things that got to us," head coach Shonda Stanton said. "We need to be prepared in all sides of the game. We need to be prepared on every pitch and at-bat."
The Thundering Herd (9-7) managed to score its first run in the fourth as junior Caitlyn Jackson (Ontario, Calif.) singled up the middle and a few batters later senior Rachael Sofie (Everett, Wash.) singled scoring Jackson who stole second. Jackson was the only batter who finished with multiple hits going 3-for-3.
In the fifth, the Bulls (5-5) made their move as they started of with back-to-back-to-back singles from Dana Carter, Terese Diaz and Jaime Sheffler. Junior Katie Murphree (Tallahassee, Fla.) tried to escape the inning with consecutive strikeouts.
However, with two outs Buffalo's Candice Sheehan reached on a throwing error by freshman Alianna Telles (Sylmar, Calif.) that traveled into the outfield. Erin Zilka continued the inning with a single to right field followed by a Kristin Waldron double.
Going into the bottom of the sixth, Marshall attempted to get back into the contest as the team started the inning with their own set of three consecutive singles from Telles, senior Joscelyn Bitner (Virginia Beach, Va.) and Jackson.
With the bases loaded and no outs sophomore Melanie Stoehr (Tacoma, Wash.) grounded into a double play but thanks to a heads up play Bitner was able to score cutting the lead to 5-2. The rally ended as freshman Rebecca Gamby (Mount Victory, Ohio) grounded out.
Senior Kelly Nielson (Tucson, Ariz.) tried to start a rally in the seventh with a single and one out but after two groundouts the game ended as a victory for the Bulls.
Diaz was credited with the victory with two earned runs and Sharon Barr, who relieved Diaz in the sixth, picked up her first save of the year. Murphree went the distance for the Herd finishing the game with no earned runs and nine strikeouts.
Marshall will be back in action around 3:30 p.m. EST to finish up Saturday play against Canisius. The Herd defeated the Griffins Friday by a final of 10-1. Gametracker will be available along with coverage by WMUL 88.1 FM and at http://www.marshall.edu/wmul.
