University of Louisville
Marshall
Softball Drops Marshall Doubleheader
March 14, 2007 | Softball
March 14, 2007
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. - - Host Marshall swept the University of Louisville softball team 8-5 and 2-1 in a doubleheader Wednesday.
"We are a very talented team, but we're very inconsistent," said U of L head coach Sandy Pearsall. "We need to start playing up to our potential on a regular basis.
In the opening game, Marshall went up 2-0 in the second. Gina Guzzo led off the frame with a single. She moved to second on a Cardinal error when Caitlyn Jackson reached on a fielder's choice and scored on Marcena Bertoldo's double. Jackson came home on a hit by Joscelyn Bitner.
The Thundering Herd added to their lead in the third when Samantha Rodriguez singled, took second on a wild pitch and scored on Rachael Sofie's single. Jackson followed with a base hit and both runners scored on Rachel Schmidt's double to make it a 5-0 game.
Marshall tacked on three more runs in the fourth. Bitner led off with a single, stole second and scored when Kristina Knecht reached and took second on a Cardinal error. Rachel Folden walked to place runners on first and second. Knecht crossed the plate on Rodriguez's groundout. Folden stole third and scored on Guzzo's sacrifice bunt to make it an 8-0 game.
The Cards got on the scoreboard in the top of the fifth when Sarah Totten led off with an infield single and Kristi Cunningham followed with a two-run shot over left center to make the score 8-2.
U of L put up another run in the sixth. Brittany York reached on an error and was lifted for pinch runner Missy Vascil who moved to second on Brooke McCrain's third hit of the game. Kristen Wadwell was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Totten stepped up to the plate and delivered a one-out RBI single which sent Vascil home. McCrain was thrown out at the plate trying to score on the play.
Louisville continued to rally, scoring two runs in the top of the seventh. Rendon led off with a bunt single. Courtney Moore followed with a hit. Melissa Roth's single sent Rendon home and Moore to third. Moore crossed the plate on Brittany York's groundout to make the score 8-5.
Kassie Stanfill (4-3) took the loss, allowing five runs, three earned on eight hits and striking out three in 3.0 innings. Kristen Wadwell gave up three runs, only one earned, and struck out two in 3.0 innings of relief. The Cards had 11 hits in the game. Rendon went 3 for 4 with a run and McCrain also with 3 for 4 at the plate.
Abigail Harter (8-4) got the win, allowing four earned runs on nine hits and striking out five in 6.0 innings. Bitner finished the game 2 for 4 with a run and an RBI.
The second game featured a pitcher's duel with Marshall's Amanda Luers giving up one hit and Louisville's Kristen Wadwell retiring the first nine batters she faced through the first three innings. In the bottom of the fourth, Joscelyn Bitner reached on a leadoff error, moved to second on Kristina Knecht's sacrifice bunt and scored on Rachel Folden's RBI single.
Marshall took a 2-0 lead in the fifth when Rachael Sofie drew a one-out walk, moved to second on Caitlyn Jackson's groundout and scored on a Louisville error.
The Cards got a run back in the top of the sixth when Audrey Rendon led off with a single and Candi Hicks followed with a base hit. Courtney Moore's single scored Rendon to make it a 2-1 game.
U of L had a chance to push another run across in the top of the seventh when Missy Vascil delivered a leadoff pinch-hit single and Sarah Totten's base hit placed runners on first and second with one out. Luers got Kristi Cunningham to pop up and Rendon to groundout to end the game.
Wadwell (1-1) took the loss, giving up two unearned runs on two hits and striking out five in five innings. Stanfill retired all three batters she faced in the sixth. Offensively the Cards had six hits in the game.
Luers (6-2) picked up the win, surrendering one earned run and striking out one in seven innings. Marshall improves to 15-9.
U of L (11-10) will head to Western Kentucky for a rescheduled doubleheader Friday at 2 p.m.
