Marshall University Athletics
Marshall University
Missouri State
Softball Sweeps Day Two of Stetson Lead-Off Classic
2/13/2010 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Feb. 13, 2010
DeLand, Fla.- Marshall University softball moves to 3-0 on the season with a 3-2 victory against tournament-host Stetson in game one and an 8-5 win against Missouri State in game two on Saturday at Patricia Wilson Field.
In game one, Stetson (0-1) jumped to an early 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first when Amy Joyce scored, earned, on a Marshall error.
MU didn't take long to tack runs on the board, with three coming in the top of the fourth. Pinch runner Ashley Gue scored on a failed double-steal attempt to tie the game at 1-1. In the next at-bat Rebecca Gamby plated pinch runner Taylor Thompson on a single to center field.
"Again our bench did a great job coming into the game and performing well to give us scoring opportunities," said head coach Shonda Stanton.
Morgan Cottrell, who pinch ran for Gamby, would score in a Samantha Spurlock at-bat on a muffed throw to put MU up 3-1. All runs in the inning went unearned. Gamby would finish the game 1-for-3 at the plate, with one RBI.
In the bottom of the seventh and with two outs, the Hatters closed the gap at 3-2 after Katie Lawrence doubled to left center to bring home Chelsey Trotto. The lone run wasn't enough as the MU defense closed the game in the next at-bat with a Hatter lineout to Marcena Bertoldo.
"The defense was the difference in the ball game for us," said Stanton. "Both Marcena's defense and [Jessica] Hughes' diving catch were difference-makers that helped secure the win for us."
Trotto was the top batter for Stetson, hitting 3-for-3 and tallying one run.
Katie Murphree improves to 2-0 on the year after going the distance with five strikeouts. Stetson's pitcher, Amanda Lindsey, recorded seven strikeouts in seven innings pitched.
"Our goal in our next game against Missouri State is to be more aggressive at the plate," Stanton said. "We need to put together more quality at-bats."
In game two's 8-5 win, Marshall opened play against Missouri State (0-2) with a solo home run to left field in the bottom of the second from Gamby. The home run marks her eighth career and first this season.
The Herd then extended its lead in the third inning when Bertoldo scored on a MSU error to put Marshall up 2-0. Bri Anna Hope brought in Melanie Stoehr and Gamby on a hit through the right side, but would be caught stealing at third to cap the three-run rally and put MU up 4-0.
"I am excited with how offensively we came out with more attack at the plate," said Stanton. "We had better quality at-bats and I am pleased with our execution."
Alianna Telles stretched the lead to 7-0 when she notched her second home run of the season in the fourth inning, nailing a three-run scorcher to left field to plate Gue and pinch runner Hughes. MSU would then bring in Natalie Rose to pitch for Lauren Supak, who left the game after 3.1 innings of work.
Rachel Rillo would replace Caitlyn Jackson in the circle at the top of the sixth. Jackson (1-0) would record the win after 5.0 innings pitched and three strikeouts.
"I am proud of Caitlyn's effort; she proved in this outing she can be a reliable starter for us," Stanton said. "I am pleased with Rillo and how she worked ahead of hitters when she came in relief. I was disappointed how our defense did not back up Rillo. When we are up by that many runs we need to be able to close the door."
Delayna Gary brought in two runs for the Bears on a hit to right field, scoring Alaina Burkhart, unearned, and Kayla Beckett, earned, to put the score at 7-2. Pinch runner Christa Gammon would score on a MU error to conclude the inning at 7-3.
Telles recorded her fourth RBI of the game in the sixth after singling to left field to score Gue and put MU ahead 8-3. Telles finished the game 2-for-4 at the plate and with one run scored.
MSU wouldn't back away in the seventh as Tyler Porter scored on a Herd error, followed two plays later by Jenna Schwark scoring, unearned, only to eventually fall 8-5.
Rillo, who pitched 2.0 innings, closed the game with two strikeouts. Bears pitcher Rose finished the game with 2.2 innings in the circle and one strikeout.
Top hitter for MSU was Burkhart, who went 1-for-3 with one run scored. Marshall opponents this season have totaled 27 runners left on base. Gue recorded three stolen bases against Missouri State and one against Stetson. She is 6-for-6 on the year in the category.
The Herd will face Michigan State (2-1) on Sunday at noon in the Stetson Lead-Off Classic championship game.
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