Marshall University Athletics
Marshall University
Lipscomb
Marshall and Lipscomb Split in Doubleheader Action Monday
3/19/2012 12:00:00 AM | Softball
March 19, 2012
Final Stats (Game 1) | Final Stats (Game 2)
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Marshall softball split Monday with Lipscomb University with a game one win while dropping the second contest during non-conference action at Draper Diamond.
In the first game of the afternoon, pitching dominated as the scoreboard featured zeros through the regularly scheduled seven innings. Each team broke through in the eighth inning, but the Thundering Herd (16-11, 5-1 C-USA) got just a little more to win 2-1.
Game two belonged to Lipscomb (16-7, 0-0 A-Sun) as they struck first with two runs in the first and capped it off with another two run inning in the fourth to guide them to a 4-1 victory, earning the doubleheader split.
Game One
Pitching controlled game one as both teams went without a run until extra innings. The Bison did not collect a hit until the sixth inning when Whitney Kiihnl connected for a single to start off the inning. Marshall, which had five hits during the scheduled seven innings, could not plate a run just like their opponents through regulation.
With the international tiebreaker in place, Melissa Loesing was situated at second base to begin the extra frame. After a sacrifice bunt to move her over to third base, she scored as Bri Anna Hope delivered at the plate with a bouncer over the third base to give the Herd and the game its first run of the game. Jazmine Valle got on base with an error and that would allow Hope to score for a 2-0 lead.
Bridgette Begle scored for Lipscomb when Rena' Cothron's connected with a two out single. The Bison though would be unable to move anymore runners across as Victoria Marvin snag a liner above her head to end the contest.
Both starting pitchers were outstanding on the rubber with Kiihnl (13-4) going the distance for Lipscomb while fanning 11 opposing batters. Her counterpart, Andi Williamson (11-6) also struck out 11 to earn her eleventh victory of the season. Marshall also didn't commit an error compared to Lipscomb's two in the game.
"Game one featured a great pitcher's duel and we were able to stay the course and push runs across in extra innings," said the Herd's head coach Shonda Stanton.
Alianna Telles reached base three times with two singles and a LU error to be Marshall's top offensive performer.
Game Two
Lipscomb used two runs in the first inning to jump out to a quick 2-0 lead and added another two runs later in the game while limiting Marshall's offense to garner a doubleheader split and a 4-1 victory.
The Bison got their first run of the game as a triple from Kelsey Cartwright drove in a run. An error by Marshall allowed Lipscomb to extend their lead to 2-0 after the first.
Marshall's offense got to work in the second as Victoria Marvin connected for a run scoring double to get her squad on the scoreboard and narrow the opposition's lead to a run. The Herd could not muster anymore runs for the remainder of the game, despite stranding seven runners from the second to the sixth inning.
A home run from Gracey Aguirre in the fourth scored two for the Bison's third and fourth runs of the contest and a 4-1 lead.
"In game two both teams had four hits each, but Lipscomb's two extra base hits (triple and home run) were the difference in the game," said Stanton. "We didn't provide the run support needed to sweep."
Ashley Anderson (2-3) threw a complete game for Lipscomb, allowing only four hits and striking out while earning the victory.
MU pitcher Natalee Pulver (4-4) started the game and went into the fourth inning before being replaced by Erika Bennett, who finished out the game.
"I'm seeing great things defensively from our infield, particularly Ashley Gue at second and Jaz Valle at third base, Stanton said. "Sam Spurlock also came up big with an outfield assist in the first game that helped us win."
Marshall finishes up its Tennessee swing with a single game Tuesday at Belmont. The game will begin at 5 p.m. ET.
