April 21, 2007

Box Score |  Notes

Game Two Box Score in PDF Format
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For Immediate Release
Contact: Brandon Kolditz
wkolditz@memphis.edu, (901) 871-5475

Game Two
Memphis (27-20, 4-11)  111 000 1 - 4 8 1
Marshall (27-22, 9-11) 020 000 3 - 5 6 1
Win: Luers (10-5). Loss: Johnson (10-12). Save: None.
2B: (MEM) McNulty (10), Rowan (3)
(MAR) Sofie (3)
HR: (MEM) Dolfo (9). (MAR) Guzzo (5), Schmidt (4)

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. - One out away from securing a two-run lead, Marshall's Rachel Schmidt hit a pinch hit three-run walk off homer to beat the University of Memphis softball team, 5-4, in game two of a doubleheader at Dot Hicks Field.

The Tigers (27-20, 4-11) never trailed in the game until the game-ending home run, and for the second-straight game, out-hit Marshall, 8-6. Memphis lost for the first time in 21 opportunities after having a fifth inning lead.

The Tigers led off the game with the lead as sophomore shortstop Leila Dolfo hit her ninth homer of the year to right center. Dolfo has led off the game with a home run in three of the last seven games. She finished 2-for-4 in the game and had three hits in the doubleheader.

Senior Nicki Johnson pitched held the Thundering Herd at bay for most of the game, giving up only a pair of runs in the second inning before the big blow in the seventh. Johnson struck out two and gave up six hits. She falls to 10-12 on the season.

Memphis added an unearned run in the top of the second inning to increase its lead to 2-0. Freshman right fielder Leigh Rowan hit a one-out double to left field to increase her hitting streak to a season high four games. Senior center fielder Lindsey Pridgen then hit a two-out infield single to short. Rowan advanced to third on the hit and scored as the ball was bobbled.

Marshall tied the game at two with two runs in the bottom of the second. Gina Guzzo led off the inning with a solo home run to left center. Deanna Tourville followed with a single and was put out in the next play on a fielder's choice bunt by Joscelyn Bitner. Rachael Sofie brought in the second run of the inning, scoring Bitner on a double down the left line.

The Tigers took back the lead in the third with a run off two hits. Sophomore Leandra Hines walked with one out and sophomore catcher Kimmi Hayden followed with her third hit on the day. Senior Bridgette McNulty knocked in her 30th RBI of the season, bringing home Hines on a double down the leftfield line. Memphis stranded the bases loaded after senior first baseman Kara Ross received an intentional walk.

Marshall starting pitcher Abigail Harter retired 12 in a row after walking Ross in the third before sophomore second baseman Tori Gross singled in the seventh. Gross went on to score to give the Tigers a 4-2 lead after Hayden walked with the bases loaded. Memphis had three-straight singles to load the bases, but stranded the runners for the second time in the game with one out.

Guzzo singled to lead off the bottom of the seventh for Marshall before Memphis retired the next two batters. Sofie then hit a two-out single to put runners at the corners and Schmidt followed with a three-run shot.

The two teams will play the final game of the series on Sunday at 1 p.m. (EST). Live stats and live audio are available for the game with links to the broadcasts on GoTigersGo.com.