Marshall University Athletics
Marshall University
Bucknell
Thundering Herd Wraps up Marshall Invitational with a Win
3/4/2012 12:00:00 AM | Softball
March 4, 2012
Final Stats (Game 1) Final Stats (Game 2)
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. - The Marshall softball team concluded the three day invitational at Dot Hicks Field Sunday with a loss in its first game of the day but ended the day with a win over Bucknell.
After falling to Kent State 6-4 in the first of action for the Herd (10-9), it regrouped and came out swinging in a 13-0 romp to conclude the Marshall Invitational in a snow filled day of action.
Game One vs. Kent State
A three run lead for Marshall wasn't enough as Kent State (6-9) posted six unanswered runs to defeat the Herd 6-4.
After three innings, MU had put itself in line for a victory with solid pitching out of starter Andi Williamson and key hitting for a 3-0 lead. Back-to-back home runs over center field from seniors Alianna Telles and Rebecca Gamby gave the Herd its largest lead of the afternoon.
Kent State though showed fight in the fifth inning as they were able to push across four runs to take their first lead of the contest. Freshman Kim Kirkpatrick singled up the middle to drive in two runs, while two Herd errors later in the inning allowed two more Golden Flashes runs to score for a 4-3 lead.
The KSU offense kept rolling in the next inning as they plated two more runs for a 6-2 lead. An attempt by Jazmine Valle to catch a Kent runner at the plate was unsuccessful as the throw hit the back of Alex Marcantonio to allow her and another runner to cross the plate.
The Herd attempted to rally with one run in the bottom of the sixth as Alysia Hively singled in Ashley Gue but MU would strand two runners in both the sixth and seventh innings ending its threat and the ballgame.
"We just didn't get the timely hit. We gave up six runs and our error in the fifth inning really hurt us,' head coach Shonda Stanton said after the game. "We had too many errors that cost and it came down to not being able to get the clutch hit."
Gamby went 3-for-4 in the contest, including scoring a run thanks to her home run earlier in the game.
Williamson (6-5) suffered the loss in five innings of work. The junior struck out five while allowing six hits and five runs. Emma Johnson (2-6) was the winning pitcher for the Flashes.
Game Two vs. Bucknell
Just like action on Saturday, Marshall responded mightily after losing, defeating Bucknell once agina, this time13-0 in four and half innings.
Marshall's power explosion started in the second inning with four runs including Jessica Ferrick pushing across Taylor Thompson to help the Herd jump out to an early 4-0 lead.
The Herd kept using its bats in the third when five more runs crossed the plate. Marshall scored all of its runs with two outs as Thompson started things off with one of the five singles her squad had in the inning that scored pinch runner Emileigh Cooper. Ashley Gue and Alianna Telles each provide RBI's and Bri Anna Hope delivered with a two run single to open the Herd's lead to 9-0.
Hope finished the game 2-for-4 with three runs batted in. The Texas native had six hits in total Sunday.
The fourth inning featured much of same as the previous two innings as four more runs were scored. Hively led off the inning with her third hit of game as a towering home run just squeezed in down the left field line. Brianna Miluk would score her first career run and Gue was able to drive in a run and score herself to help her squad cruise to a 13-0 win.
Natalee Pulver (3-3) was dominate in the circle, allowing only one hit, walking zero batters, and striking out five to earn the win.
"In game two we really pounded the ball. Our offensive production was great as we were able to hit the long ball and steal bases," said Stanton.
"Natalee just rolled into the game after finishing game one in relief. She pitched so well with quick innings and outs."
Ten different Herd players scored a season-high 13 runs for Marshall. Hively, Gue, and Thompson each crossed the dish twice.
"We are starting to see some really good things out of people. We had everyone involved today with 21 hits combined over the two games."
Marshall stays home for the week and will welcome in defending regular season Conference USA champion Houston for a three game series beginning Saturday. The Cougars and the Herd will play twice on Saturday starting at 1 p.m. with a single game Sunday at 11 a.m.
