Marshall University Athletics
Marshall University
Tulsa
Marshall Softball Drops Two Against Tulsa
5/8/2010 12:00:00 AM | Softball
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. - The Marshall University softball team (24-29-1, 3-19-1 C-USA) dropped game one of a twin bill, 11-1, against Tulsa (30-20, 13-6 C-USA) on Saturday at Dot Hicks Field. The second game saw the Thundering Herd fall 6-2.
In game one of the doubleheader, the Golden Hurricane opened the first frame with a two-run lead after Samantha Cobb homered to left field to plate Caitlin Everett.
Skylar Swanson then stretched the Tulsa lead to 3-0 in the top of the second with a single down the right field line to bring home Cassidy Bowen.
TU tallied another run in the third, as Cobb would come home unearned off a Marshall error to give the Golden Hurricane a 4-0 advantage.
Caitlyn Jackson would come in as relief for Katie Murphree (15-16), who would receive the loss after leaving the circle in the third after 2.1 innings and one strikeout.
Tulsa recorded seven runs in the fourth after Cobb hit a grand slam to left center. The Herd then brought in Rachel Rillo to close the remainder of the frame, but not before TU stretched its lead to 11-0 with another three runs scored.
"It is always tough to come back after getting in a hole that early in the game," said head coach Shonda Stanton.
Jackson left the circle after 1.0 innings pitched and two strikeouts. Rillo closed the final 1.2 innings of the game.
Jazmine Valle put the Herd on the board at 11-1 in the bottom of the fourth frame with a lead-off home run to center field - the homer is her 10th of the season. The rally would not be enough as the Herd eventually fell 11-1 in five innings.
Valle went 1-for-2 at the dish, while pinch hitters Alysia Hively and Victoria Marvin each tallied a hit in their lone at-bat.
Jackie Lawrence (14-7) would tally the win for Tulsa after working 5.0 innings and striking out six.
In game two, Tulsa put two runs on the board in the first after Lauren Lindsay and Cobb crossed the plate on a pair of RBI singles.
Valle answered in the bottom of the frame with a double to left center to plate Alianna Telles and close the gap at 2-1.
Tulsa hit its third homer of the day to edge a 3-1 advantage in the second as Lauren Menke launched a long ball over the left field fence. In the fourth, a solo-homer from Lindsay pushed a 4-1 cushion in favor of TU.
Jackson would relieve Murphree in the circle and retire the final batter of the fourth frame en route to closing the final 2.1 innings of the contest. Murphree left after 4.2 innings under her belt and three strikeouts to take the loss and move to 15-17 on the year.
Telles came back to put the Herd's second run on the board as she scored, unearned, on a Tulsa passed ball in the bottom of the fifth, putting the game at 4-2.
The Golden Hurricane scored its final two runs in the top of the seventh to take the 6-2 victory over the Herd. Both Everett and Swanson came home on a single to center by Lindsay.
Jordan Kinard (7-8) notched the win for Tulsa, striking out 14 in 7.0 innings.
"Tomorrow we hope to come out and play the way we know how and honor our seniors," Stanton said.
Marshall will close out the three-game series against Tulsa at noon on Sunday at Dot Hicks Field.
Sunday MU softball will celebrate senior day with an exclusive poster giveaway and post-game senior autograph sessions. Sunday also marks Mother's Day: a free gift will be provided to mothers and daughters while supplies last.
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