Marshall University Athletics
Marshall Drops Two to Kentucky
10/8/2011 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Oct. 8, 2011
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. - Taking on a program that advanced to an NCAA Super Regional last May, the Marshall softball team came up short as it was defeated by Kentucky 8-6 and 6-0 in a doubleheader on Saturday at Dot Hicks Field.
The Thundering Herd will wrap up the fall exhibition season on Sunday facing Morehead State at 11 a.m. and Ohio Valley at 3 p.m. Morehead State and Ohio Valley will face off at 1 p.m.
Game 1 | Box Score 
In game one of the doubleheader, Marshall held a 4-2 lead after three innings, but a six-run fourth inning led Kentucky to an 8-6 win.
Marshall was led offensively by junior Taylor Thompson who had two of the team's four hits and scored two runs.
The Thundering Herd jumped on UK starter Lauren Cumbess early in the contest. Junior Bri Anna Hope scored the game's first run in the second inning on a fielding error in center field.
After UK scored two runs in the top of the third inning, Marshall answered with three runs in the bottom half of the inning. Freshman Kaelynn Green scored on a fielding error by the left fielder and junior Alysia Hively reached base on a fielder's choice, driving in senior Samantha Spurlock and Thompson on the play to take a 4-2 lead.
However, the Wildcats scored six runs on four hits in the top of the fourth to take an 8-4 lead.
Thompson hit a triple to lead off the bottom of the fifth inning and scored one batter later on a Rebecca Gamby sacrifice fly to make the score 8-5. With the bases loaded and one out, Hope hit a ground ball to the shortstop which was fielded and thrown to third base for the out, but allowed Hively to score and bring the Herd to within two runs.
The final two innings were scoreless as UK took game one 8-6.
Junior Andi Williamson allowed seven runs (six earned) in 3.2 innings pitched. Sophomore Natalee Pulver came on in relief and pitched 3.1 innings and allowed just one run.
Game 2 | Box Score
Marshall and Kentucky each recorded seven hits, but the Wildcats made them count, using a three run sixth inning to defeat the Thundering Herd 6-0 in game two.
Thompson and senior Aliamma Telles both had two hits to lead the Herd whose record fell to 4-2 in the fall season.
Holding a 1-0 lead, Kentucky slugger Brittany Cervantes hit a solo home run to center field off of Marshall pitcher Andi Williamson who relieved starter Erika Bennett.
The Herd had its chances late in the game, but left five runners on base in innings 5-7 and none more so than the sixth inning. In that inning, Marshall had the bases loaded and just one out trailing 6-0. However, Victoria Marvin struck out and Amanda Lara grounded to end the scoring threat.
Kentucky pitchers Chanda Bell and Ellen Weaver shutout the Herd lineup and combined for seven strikeouts on the day.
