Marshall University Athletics
Marshall University
Michigan State
Softball Edges Michigan State 6-4; Second Game Cancelled
2/12/2010 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Feb. 12, 2010
DeLand, Fla.- The Marshall University softball team (1-0) moved past Big Ten foe Michigan State (0-1) on Friday afternoon with a 6-4 win at Patricia Wilson Field. Friday's game against Missouri State has been cancelled indefinitely due to inclement weather.
"It is always great to get that first win of the season," head coach Shonda Stanton said. "I was pleased that once we started scoring we did not let up and we continued to score. In the end it proved to be enough, but as we improve we need to close the door better."
Both teams were held scoreless leading into the top of the fifth inning. With two outs on the board, Jessica Hughes advanced home on a wild pitch during an Alianna Telles at-bat to put MU up 1-0.
Telles then drove home Samantha Spurlock from third base after hitting a two-run homer over the left center wall that ricocheted off the scoreboard. Telles would finish the game 1-for-3 at the plate, with one run scored and two RBI.
Marcena Bertoldo followed with a deep double to right center, but the Herd would cap the top of the inning with the score at 3-0.
In the bottom of the fifth, MSU answered by loading the bases with two outs before Katie Murphree and the Herd defense shut down all Spartan scoring opportunities.
"We started out slow offensively but our defense and Katie [Murphree] came through on the mound," said Stanton. "We got out of some big jams early; Michigan State had the bases loaded twice. Katie really came through in the clutch and gave us a chance to score first."
Marshall edged the lead to 4-0 in the sixth after pinch runner Ashley Gue scored, unearned, on a Spartan error. Not to be outdone, MSU notched its first run of the game on a homer from Brett Williams to put the game at 4-1.
Bertoldo got the bats rolling in the seventh with her second double on the day to right center. In the next at-bat, Caitlyn Jackson singled to center to plate Bertoldo and advance to second on the throw. Pinch runner Morgan Cottrell crossed the plate in what would be the Herd's sixth and final run of the game on a Melanie Stoehr single to right center.
"Marcena did a great job today, stepping up and showing great senior leadership," Stanton said. "She provided that spark for us in the two-spot."
Bertoldo finished the game 2-for-3 at the plate, with one run scored.
MSU closed the gap with a pair of home runs in the bottom of the seventh from Lindsey Hansen and Williams, but would fall to Marshall 6-4. Murphree (1-0) garnered the win after 6.0 innings pitched and four strikeouts. Jackson, who replaced Murphree in the circle in the seventh, pitched for the final three outs and recorded one strikeout.
Marshall recorded five stolen bases and had six players contribute off the bench.
"The great thing about this team is that we have the ability to go to the bench," said Stanton. "A number of players came in and did an effective job for us today. That is going to be an instrumental key to our success this season."
Kelly Confer went the distance for MSU, with six strikeouts and seven hits. Top hitter for the Spartans was Williams, who went 2-for-4 with three RBI and two home runs.
Tomorrow's tentative schedule is set for a 4 p.m. faceoff against Stetson and an 8:30 p.m. start against Missouri State.
herdzone.com
