Marshall University Athletics
Marshall University
Seton Hall
Herd Softball Sweeps Seton Hall
2/27/2010 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Feb. 27, 2010
CHARLOTTE, N.C.- The Marshall University softball team (10-3) recorded a nine-run inning against Seton Hall to claim a five-inning 9-0 shutout, as Katie Murphree recorded the first shutout of the season. In the second matchup against the Pirates, it was Rachel Rillo and Jessica Ferrick who combined for a 10-1 six-inning win.
In game one, Jazmine Valle recorded the first Marshall triple of the season with a liner that tipped off the left center fence, just missing her second-career home run. Valle would then cross the plate on a wild pitch to put the Herd up 1-0 in the third inning.
"I was pleased with all three aspects of the game," said head coach Shonda Stanton. "We responded really well after yesterday. We had a few base running miscues early in the game that prevented us from scoring; but I was pleased that we continued to attack and make the most of our opportunities in the third inning."
With just one out, Caitlyn Jackson extended the MU lead with a long double to center field to plate Melissa Loesing and Alianna Telles. Jackson would come home in the next at-bat on a Melanie Stoehr single through the right side to put the score at 4-0.
The bats kept rolling in the third as Rebecca Gamby doubled to left center to put her and Stoehr in scoring position. Pinch hitter Victoria Marvin pushed the score to 6-0 with a single through the left side to score Stoehr. The one-out scoring frenzy continued as Samantha Spurlock crossed the plate, unearned, on a SHU throwing error.
Telles capped the nine-run inning as she put up a three-RBI triple to right center to stretch a 9-0 Herd lead. Valle, Taylor Thompson and Jessica Hughes all scored unearned on the hit.
Katie Murphree (6-1) captured the shutout after 5.0 innings of work and three strikeouts. The win marks her first shutout this season and her career third at Marshall.
In game two against SHU, it was Marshall again who drew first blood. Marcena Bertoldo came home with bases loaded, unearned, after Marvin was hit by a pitch. Stoehr also strolled across the plate when pinch hitter Alysia Hively was walked, putting the MU advantage at 2-0.
"It was exciting to see us have offensive production up and down the lineup," said Stanton. "Throughout the game every player executed and did their job."
Telles would extend the lead to 3-0 in the second inning with a double to left center to bring home Loesing. In two-out lightning, Jackson scorched a solo-home run that ricocheted off the score board. Three batters later, Ashley Gue made the score 5-0 on a single to center that brought Stoehr around from second.
Telles and Jackson would each go 2-for-4 at the plate with one RBI.
Bertoldo notched a RBI in the final at-bat of the third inning to score Loesing and give the Herd a 6-0 cushion.
SHU broke up the shutout in the fifth as Jamie Gates scored on a wild pitch, putting the Pirates on the board at 6-1.
Rachel Rillo would leave the circle in the fifth, to be relieved by Jessica Ferrick. Rillo would notch her first win on the season in a career-high 5.0 inning performance. Ferrick pitched the final two innings for the Herd.
"It was nice to see Rillo and Ferrick get innings and take care of things on the mound for us," Stanton said. "It was a great team win and we are excited to get back to the championship game and have another shot at Charlotte."
With two outs on the board in the fifth, it was Valle who put up a long ball that sailed past the left field foul pole - giving MU a 7-1 lead.
MU got the final three runs of the game in the sixth, with Stoehr bringing home Telles, unearned, for the eighth run of the evening. A Gamby homer to center capped the game at 10-1 with Stoehr coming across the plate as well.
Top hitter for MU was Stoehr, who went 3-for-3 with one RBI. Other top performances came from Gamby, who was 2-for-3; Loesing, who went 2-for-2 with two runs scored, and Gue, who went 2-for-2 with one RBI.
Marshall will face UNC Charlotte at 1 p.m. on Sunday in the Championship game.
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