Marshall University Athletics
Marshall University
UCF
Herd Softball Suffers Sweep at UCF
4/17/2011 12:00:00 AM | Softball
April 17, 2011
ORLANDO - The Marshall University softball team drops to 15-27 overall and 1-13 in Conference USA with Sunday's 10-6 loss to UCF at UCF Softball Complex.
Marshall's explosive five-run showing in the third inning was not enough as the Thundering Herd fell 10-6 in the matchup and to the three-game series sweep.
Rebecca Gamby had three hits on the day while Jazmine Valle connected 2-for-3 at the plate with a pair of RBI and one run scored. Natalee Pulver took the loss for the Herd, dropping her to 7-14 on the year as UCF's Lacey Dinney improves to 10-7 with the victory.
UCF (18-24, 8-7 C-USA) got things popping in the first with a sacrifice fly by Marissa Menendez to score Allie Jest and give the Knights the first lead of the game, 1-0.
A Herd misplay in the second put pressure on the MU defense with Knights runners in scoring position at second and third with no outs. Starting pitcher Erika Bennett was able to get assistance in the situation with a fly out to center but one walk later jammed Marshall in a bases loaded situation.
An RBI from Jest plated Kellie Todd but before the Herd could get out of the frame another error was capitalized on to allow two more runs to come home as UCF went up 4-0 after two innings.
Marshall was feisty in the third though in a two-out rally that converted five runs, on four hits and four UCF errors. A RBI-single from Alysia Hively jump started the offensive spark, plating pinch runner Melissa Loesing, who was on base courtesy of Alianna Telles reaching on a UCF error.
Valle made it a 4-3 ballgame with a double to left that scored Gamby and pinch runner Morgan Cottrell, who was on by virtue of a Hively single to left. Marshall then tied the game when Melanie Stoehr's RBI-single brought around Valle and claimed the 5-4 lead after Bri Anna Hope crossed home safely during a defensive rundown play on Stoehr between first and second base.
Momentum found its way in the UCF dugout as the Knights were able to tally two runs, unearned, in the bottom of the fourth on one Marshall error and one hit.
The Herd would not stay down long however as another RBI-single from Hively plated Ashley Gue and tied it up at 6-6 heading into the bottom of the fifth.
The lead swayed in favor of Central Florida in the bottom of the frame, 10-6, after Patrice Fee scored during a Jest at-bat. Marshall faced another bases loaded situation and brought in Andi Williamson to replace Pulver, who entered the circle in the fourth.
Three runs ensued as back-to-back RBI-singles from Menendez and Tiffany Lane combined for a 10-6 cushion. The Knights would hold on through two more frames to pick up its eighth conference victory.
Marshall softball hosts Morehead State on Tuesday in a doubleheader that is slated for a 3 p.m. start. Live video and GameTracker will be available for both contests.
