Marshall University Athletics
Marshall University
Miami (Oh)
Marshall Splits Doubleheader with Miami (OH)
4/14/2009 12:00:00 AM | Softball
April 14, 2009
Box Score Game One
Box Score Game Two
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. - The Marshall University softball team found themselves behind early in game one with a rally falling short before jumping out to a huge lead in game two to force a midweek nonconference split with Miami (OH) Tuesday at Dot Hicks Field.
The Thundering Herd (23-13) were behind 7-0 in the second inning of game one before scoring six runs in the next two innings but the RedHawks (22-17) held on to a 8-6. Game two couldn't have been more different for Marshall scoring seven in the first in route to a 10-1 win.
"The difference for us is coming out and competing from the first pitch of the first game to the second game and that's what we're failing to do right now," head coach Shonda Stanton said. "If you spot anyone seven runs on a couple of errors, hit batters and a bomb, it's a tough obstacle to overcome.
"These midweek games are all about us and our strengths and we're failing to come out and execute. I was pleased with how we responded and good energy going into UAB to get refocused on what we're fighting for."
The Herd will be on the road for the second straight weekend in conference play with a trip to Birmingham, Ala. to face off against UAB. The series start Saturday at 2:00 p.m. EST
GAME ONE
After a scoreless first, Miami used the second inning to its advantage plating seven runs on just three hits and two Marshall errors. The exclamation point to the inning came as Jenna McGivney hit a home run to left center for three RBIs.
With its back against the wall, the Herd responded in the bottom half of the second cutting the lead to five as freshman Rebecca Gamby (Mount Victory, Ohio) doubled to left and junior Marcena Bertoldo (Beaumont, Calif.) singled.
Senior Kelly Nielson (Tucson, Ariz.) came to the plate with two on busting a shot to right center scoring both runners. The bottom of the third would prove to be just as big as Marshall added four more runs on two hits.
The inning started with freshman Alianna Telles (Sylmar, Calif.) getting hit and advancing to second on a sacrifice by senior Joscelyn Bitner (Virginia Beach, Va.). Junior Caitlyn Jackson (Ontario, Calif.) and sophomore Melanie Stoehr (Tacoma, Wash.) kept things going with a back-to-back singles and scoring a run.
Gamby followed that up with a walk loading the bases for pinch hitter Rachel Schmidt (Alliance, Ohio) who popped up but not before a wild pitch went by allowing another runner to come home. Up next senior Rachel Sofie (Everett, Wash.) hit a hard shot to short causing Sarah Billstrom to throw the ball over first base plating two more runs. After getting the game within one into the sixth, senior Autumn Mitchell (Shady Spring, W.Va.) who entered the game in relief in the second , gave up her first hit of the contest when Lauren Odom homered and held on to a 8-6 victory.
GAME TWO
After a slow start in game one, Marshall came out on all cylinders in the second game scoring seven runs in the bottom half of the first. Telles started the game off with another leadoff home run for her sixth of the year.
Bitner continued with a single, her first of two in the inning. Stoehr added a single up the middle scoring Bitner followed by Gamby singling to right and putting runners on second and third.
Schmidt reached on an error by the shortstop allowing Stoehr to score putting the game at 3-0. The inning continued after a pitching change by Miami as Sofie blasted a shot over the left center wall for a three run home run.
The last run came as Nielson walked and freshman Melissa Loesing (Grapevine, Texas) singled and Bitner singled against to score Nielson as the Herd went up 7-0 going into the second.
Marshall added to its lead in the bottom half of the third as Loesing earned her second hit of the game and Bitner doubled in the infield. Loesing though would be picked off of third in the next at-bat.
After Jackson was walked, Stoehr joined in on the home run parade with her fifth of the year that gave the Herd a 10-0 lead. The RedHawks managed to score one run in the fourth before the Herd picked up the five inning win.
In the contest, Bitner finished 3-for-3 with two runs and one RBI and Stoehr went 2-for-3 with four RBI and two runs as well. Loesing and Gamby joined them as the Herd players with multiple hits with two apiece.
Mitchell finished the game with a complete game win. In two games, she gave up only two runs and four hits in 10.1 innings of work with 13 strikeouts.
