Marshall University Athletics
Marshall University
George Mason
Softball defeats George Mason in the nightcap 8-5
2/10/2012 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Feb. 10, 2012
CONWAY, S.C. - With a powerful effort at the plate, Marshall softball hit four home runs en route to a 8-5 victory over George Mason in the Kickin' Chicken Classic.
The Thundering Herd (2-0), which won their first game of the year earlier in the day against Georgia Southern got homers from four different players to lead the offensive charge. Natalee Pulver (1-0) picked up the victory working all seven innings.
"In our two games, we scored 12 runs, swiped 8 bags and blasted 5 bombs which made for an exciting day offensively," said Head Coach Stanton. "We know where we need to be better and sharper on the defensive side of things and we have the experience to clean things up. "
Hitting the homers for Marshall were Alianna Telles, Alysia Hively, Jazmine Valle, and Jessica Ferrick with her first career shot. Valle's homer was her second of the day after hitting one over the fence during game one of the season earlier in the day against Georgia Southern.
"One of the things that makes competition so enjoyable is to see an athlete like Ferrick step to the plate and have a moment like that capitalizing on her pinch hit opportunity," continued Stanton.
The last time Marshall hit four home runs in a game was Feb. 19, 2010 against East Carolina.
Patience at the plate was also pivotal for the Herd, as they drew five walks, including three during the first inning when they were able to collect two runs after the Patriots got out to a two run lead following the top of the first inning. Samantha Spurlock, who was running for Telles, scored the first run for the Herd off a Valle single in the first. Her hit also brought in Emileigh Cooper, who was pinch running for Rebecca Gamby to even the score at two apiece.
In the second inning a home run each from Telles, Hively, and Valle notched four runs to give Marshall a 6-2 lead. Bri Anna Hope would score off a George Mason error in the fourth and Ferrick's home run in the fifth put the Herd out in front 8-3.
Valle was Marshall's top performer at the plate, going two for three with two hits, and a run scored.
Stanton continued her remarks talking about Valle's job at the plate, "I cannot say enough about Jaz and her performance today."
George Mason, following their hot start was held scoreless until they scored a run in the fifth inning following a Marshall error and two Patriot singles. George Mason kept fighting until the end as they scored two in the seventh inning, but was shut down by the Herd to finish the game.
The loss dropped the Patriots to 1-1. Tori Dudley was their top performer at the plate with a two of three effort including scoring two runs. Miranda Cranford suffered the loss.
Marshall returns to action at the Kickin' Chicken Classic tomorrow morning at 10 a.m. when they face George Washington and will square off against Georgia Southern later in the day at 4:30 p.m.
