Marshall University Athletics
Marshall University
UAB
UAB Hands Marshall 6-4 Loss Sunday
4/19/2009 12:00:00 AM | Softball
April 19, 2009
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The Marshall University softball team tried to mount a comeback in the later innings but was dealt a 6-4 loss Sunday against UAB at George Wade Park in Birmingham, Ala.
The Thundering Herd (24-15, 9-6) fell behind as early as the first inning and trailed the Blazers (xxx) for the length of the contest. The team managed to cut the lead to 2-1 through two and a half innings before UAB scored four more runs.
"Pitching did a poor job and so did our defense when we need them as well at the plate," head coach Shonda Stanton said. "We were outplayed in all three phases of the game and I expect more from this team."
With two outs in the bottom of the first, UAB's Catherine Douglas tripled as a ball sailed into the right field corner and she came around to score on the next at-bat as Amanda Allen singled up the middle taking a 1-0 lead through one.
The Blazers would tack on another run in the second as Cameron Skates singled to short and advanced to second on a sacrifice by Kayla Harris. Skates went on to steal third and came on a hit by Maegan Hornsby.
Down 2-0 in the third, Marshall responded as senior Kelly Nielson (Tucson, Ariz.) started off with a one out walk followed by freshman Samantha Spurlock (Huntington, W.Va.) got on with an infield single to the left side.
Freshman Alianna Telles (Sylmar, Calif.) then came to the plate singling up the middle to bring Nielson around from second to cut the lead in half to 2-1. Both runners then moved up on a sacrifice by senior Joscelyn Bitner (Virginia Beach, Va.) but could not make it as junior Caitlyn Jackson (Ontario, Calif.) grounded out.
In the top of the third after a leadoff single by Caley Walden, Jackson was removed from pitching for senior Autumn Mitchell (Shady Spring, W.Va.). Walden advanced to third after a sacrifice bunt and ground out before scoring on a single from Laura Callaway.
In the bottom half of the stanza, UAB added to its lead with a run coming when Martina Landrum singled up the middle scoring Harris who had reached on a single to left field and moved over on a loose ball and a wild pitch.
With a three run lead already, the Blazers added two more in the fifth as Mandy Lowman hit a home run to left center plating herself and Andrea Rogers who was pinch running for Callaway who reached on a walk. After the home run UAB would be up 6-1 through five innings.
The Herd tried to manage a comeback in the sixth as Bitner started off the rally with an infield single and one out. Jackson then doubled to left as the ball dropped in and bouncing to the fence allowing Bitner to reach third.
Sophomore Melanie Stoehr (Tacoma, Wash.) then flew out to center allowing Bitner to come around and score for the sacrifice fly. Jackson then scored on a single from senior Rachael Schmidt (Alliance, Ohio) cutting into the lead, 6-3.
Mitchell was removed in the bottom of the sixth with one out being replaced by junior Katie Murphree (Tallahassee, Fla.). Before coming out, Mitchell had pitched 3.1 innings allowing just four hits.
Marshall battled again in the top of the seventh as Nielson singled up the middle and was pinch ran for by freshman Melissa Loesing (Grapevine, Texas). Loesing came in to score as Telles doubled to left field but the rally stopped there as the Herd fell 6-4.
The team will return home for its final home stand of the 2009 season with a nonconference doubleheader Thursday April 23 against Morehead State and over the weekend against Conference USA opponent East Carolina.
The games with Morehead State are scheduled for a 2 p.m. EST start and Gametracker will be available. Live broadcast can be heard on WMUL 88.1 FM and at http://www.marshall.edu/wmul. Herd All-Access will also be providing live video and audio from WMUL's airwaves.
