Marshall University Athletics
Marshall University
Kentucky
@HerdSB Drops Game Late to #15 Kentucky
3/16/2016 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Box Score
Coach Stanton Postgame Video
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. - It was a packed house at the Dot with every seat in the stands filled, children lining the cement rows behind the backstop and people standing elbow to elbow along the outfield to witness a great pitching and defensive duel between Marshall softball and the #15 Kentucky Wildcats. In the end, UK pulled out the win 1-0 Wednesday afternoon.
"For a fan it was an outstanding game," Herd Coach Shonda Stanton said. "What more could you want. A beautiful sunny day and it was an amazing atmosphere. There wasn't a seat to be found, people lined up in the outfield. The band was there along with some cheerleaders and Marco showed up. Our kids deserve this, they have worked really hard and we have a heck of a program."
Junior pitcher Jordan Dixon (Edmond, Okla) came out firing retiring the side in order in both the first and second innings. Dixon recorded three of her four strikeouts in the first six batters. The defense played well behind Dixon making great plays battling the sun for high pop ups as well as chasing down fly balls in the gaps and near the fence.
In the top of the fourth, with one runner on and nobody out, the Kentucky batter put down a sacrifice bunt that senior third baseman Katalin Lucas (Agua Dulce, Calif.) quickly fielded and threw to freshman second baseman Samantha Loose (Anaheim Hills, Calif.) who was covering first. The runner advanced to second and then tried to take third as Lucas raced back for the bag and Loose held on to the ball just long enough to allow Lucas to reach third. Loose made the throw and Lucas applied the tag for the double play.
Marshall threatened in the second inning loading the bases from two walks and a hit-by-pitch that led to Kentucky Head Coach Rachel Lawson making a pitching change and bringing in her ace Kelsey Nunley. Nunley recorded the final out of the inning and pitched the rest of the game.
The Herd recorded its first hit in the bottom of the fifth as sophomore Jordan Colliflower (Huntington, W.Va.) attacked the first pitch and sent a high bouncer over the third baseman's head and into left field. Marshall's second hit came in the sixth as sophomore Taylor McCord (Gilbert, Ariz.) lined a shot into center. Both times the Herd could not get the timely hit it needed.
"I felt like we had a few chances especially early when we drew those walks," Coach Stanton said. "But we just couldn't get that timely hit that clutch hit. And that was the difference in the ball game."
The Wildcats finally grabbed the lead with a solo home run by Christian Stokes in the top of the seventh. It was only the fourth hit of the game for Kentucky but proved to be just enough.
"Jordan pitched an incredible ball game for us," Coach Stanton said. "She has been so dependable for us but unfortunately if you make a mistake on a pitch, great hitters make plays and that's what Stokes did."
Next up, Marshall hits the road again March 19-20 for a three game series with Conference USA foe North Texas in Denton, Texas. First pitch for game one Saturday March 19 is set for 2 p.m. eastern.
