Marshall University Athletics
Marshall University
LONG ISLAND
Herd Softball Splits on Second Day of USF Wilson-DeMarini
2/12/2011 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Feb. 12, 2011
CLEARWATER, Fla.- During the second day of the USF Wilson-DeMarini Tournament, the Marshall University softball team dropped its first game against Florida Gulf Coast, 1-0. The Herd then came back to top Long Island, 6-1, in the evening game at Eddie C. Moore Complex.
"We missed an opportunity to take two games today with our inability to adjust at the plate in game one," said head coach Shonda Stanton. "I was extremely pleased with how we came out swinging in game two, scored first, extended the lead and responded to the challenge of how we started the season."
Game One
In a well-matched battle of defense, the Thundering Herd (1-3) held Florida Gulf Coast (1-2) scoreless heading into the sixth inning in Saturday's opening game. Natalee Pulver (0-1) worked a complete game in the loss, pitching 66 strikes and four strikeouts for Marshall.
Top hitter for the Herd was Melissa Loesing, who went 1-for-2 at the plate.
The Eagles put up the game's sole run in the top of the sixth after a double from Jessica Barnes scored Tori Williams from second base. Catherine McDaniel (1-1) went the distance for the win, striking out four along the way.
"Natalee [Pulver] pitched a great game," said Stanton. "She worked and stayed ahead of hitters and our defense played well behind her. She did her job to get us a win but we failed to provide the offensive support."
Game Two
In the matchup against Long Island (0-4), Marshall opened with a three-run jumpstart in the opening frame. Leadoff hitter Amanda Lara was in scoring position for a Telles RBI, to give the Herd its first run. With pinch runner Taylor Thompson on second, a triple from Rebecca Gamby to left center edged a 2-0 MU cushion.
Designated player Taylor Winton made it a 3-0 ball game in the next at-bat with a single up the middle that plated Gamby.
So far this season, Winton has hit at a .500 clip, with one home run, three RBI and a .875 slugging percentage.
A two-out rally in the third by Jazmine Valle gave the sophomore her 11th-career home run after her scorcher down the left field line stretched Marshall's advantage to 4-0.
Marshall went up 6-0 in the sixth when Gamby hit a homer over the center field fence to plate Ashley Gue. Gamby finished the game 2-for-3 with two runs scored and three RBI.
"This was a total team effort for the win," Stanton said. "We pieced together all three components of the game. Andi [Williamson] gave us a good start, [Erika] Bennett came in to get us out of a jam and Natalee did a good job at closing. I thought it was also nice to see Jazmine and Gamby hit the longball - this was the complete game that we were missing earlier this weekend."
The Blackbird's answered back when Brianna Melero came home on a Karina Cervantes single up the middle to put the score at 6-1 Marshall heading into the seventh.
In the game's final frame, LIU put two runs on the board after Jazmin Rodriquez scored in a Brooklyn York at-bat and Amanda MacIntosh came home off a Madison Zynkowitz single to left center.
Andi Williamson picked up her first win of the season to put her record at 1-2 after 5.0 innings pitched and a season-high five strikeouts. Erika Bennett and Natalee Pulver each saw 1.0 innings in the circle for MU. Sarah Reynolds (0-2) received the loss for LIU, after pitching 0.1 innings and giving up four runs.
Marshall closes out its opening weekend on Sunday when it faces NC State at 9 a.m.
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