Tulsa
Marshall
Marshall Earns Series Split with Hurricane, 8-3
4/15/2007 12:00:00 AM | Softball
April 15, 2007
Box Score
Tulsa, Okla. - The University of Tulsa could not pull of the series sweep of the Marshall Thundering Herd, as MU spoiled a Sunday sweep, just like TU did last season. The Herd used a four-run seventh inning to hold on for an 8-3 Conference USA victory at the Donna J. Hardesty Sports Complex.
Marshall struck first with three runs in the top of the third inning. After neither team could muster much in the opening two innings, the Herd got a two-out single, followed by an intentional walk for two runners. The first pitch by senior Julie Fennell after the walk missed its spot and was deposited over the left centerfield wall for a three-run homer.
In the bottom of the inning, TU posted three runs of its own. After a lead off single from freshman Christian Timmons, she advanced to second when the MU shortstop dropped a throw off a grounder from fellow freshman Lauren Lindsay. Timmons would score on a single by senior Kelli McGlasson. After a strikeout, freshman Jackie Lawrence hit a grounder to short, sending Lindsay homeward. The MU catcher was called for obstruction, giving TU a second run in the inning and two baserunners. A single from freshman Vanessa Vice scored McGlasson to tie the score at 3-3.
Marshall was able to retake the lead in the top of the fifth. After drawing a one-out intentional walk, the Herd hit a double to left field. The runner at first was thrown out trying to score for the second out of the inning. However, a throw to third to get the third out, went off the glove and allowed the go-ahead run to score.
The wheels came off for the Hurricane in the top of the seventh, as Marshall scored four unearned runs on three hits and two Tulsa errors. Two of the Herd's hits in the inning were infield singles.
The Golden Hurricane tried to mount a two-out comeback, as junior Sara Dyer recorded her 22nd double of the season. Lawrence followed with an infield single to give TU runners at the corners. A ground out to second thwarted the TU threat however, ending the game.
Tulsa (25-22, 9-8 C-USA) tied the score at 3-3 in the bottom of the third after giving up a three-run homer in the top of the stanza. The Herd took the lead in the top of the fifth with an unearned run, then scored four more unearned runs in the top of the seventh.
Dyer led the way for the Hurricane hitters with a 2-for-4 performance. Five other TU hitters posted hits, including McGlasson, Lawrence, Timmons and sophomore Brooke Smart.
Senior Julie Fennell was tagged with the loss, striking out seven in six innings of work. She scattered three hits while allowing four runs, three of which were earned. Lawrence pitched the seventh inning, striking out two.
Last season, the Herd won the first two games of the series and Tulsa came back to earn a split with win on Sunday in Huntington, W. Va.
