Marshall University Athletics
Marshall University
UAB
Softball Defeated Saturday by UAB, 4-3
3/24/2012 12:00:00 AM | Softball
March 24, 2012
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. - A rally by Marshall softball was answered with a Blazer home run and UAB held off a second, last inning MU rally to defeat and sweep the Herd 4-3 Saturday.
Two home runs from Kristen McGrath provided just enough for her squad to win the third and final game of the weekend series. Her second home run, a towering solo shot, came in the sixth, two innings after the Thundering Herd had tied the game.
"I was happy that we didn't give up after UAB jumped out to a three run lead," said head coach Shonda Stanton. "We continued to fight hard but just came up short."
Following a three run blast from McGrath in the first for UAB, Taylor Thompson collected Marshall's first hit in the fourth which cranked up the Herd offense. Jazmine Valle followed her teammate when she connected on a first pitch double to center and a UAB error on the same play allowed Thompson to score for the Herd's first run. Singles by Rebecca Gamby and Alyisa Hively evened up the game at three each.
Starting pitcher Andi Williamson and Marshall were able to keep UAB off the scoreboard after the first inning. However UAB seized its moment as McGrath smack her second home run of the day, thistime a lead off blast to left field, to put the Blazers up a run 4-3 in the sixth.
Like the day before, the Herd put itself in position to tie or win the game in the final inning of play. After two outs, Ashley Gue bunted her way on to first and Alianna Telles drew a walk to give MU two runners on base. Thompson would return to the plate looking to collect her second hit of the day, but UAB pitcher Amber Torres fielder ball off the junior's bat to end the game.
"We were unable to get quality at-bats in key situations," said Stanton. "We have to be able to move the runner and put the bat on the ball with runners in scoring position."
Williamson (12-7) struck out ten batters but suffered the loss for Marshall. Torres picked up her third victory of the season and second this weekend in four innings of relief.
Marshall returns to action next weekend when it makes its way to El Paso, Texas to do battle with UTEP. The two squads get things started with a doubleheader next Saturday at 4 p.m. ET.
.png&width=84&height=84&quality=100&type=webp)
