April 25, 2008

Tulsa Game Notes

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. - The Marshall Thundering Herd softball team will square off against Tulsa in a three-game series to wrap up 2008 conference action, beginning with a doubleheader, Saturday, April 27 at 1 p.m. (ET). The Herd concludes the home portion of the schedule, Sunday at noon against the Golden Hurricane, while honoring its three seniors 15 minutes prior to the first pitch.

The Herd (23-26, 10-9 Conference USA) is playing its best softball of the season. After capturing 11 of its last 14 games, Marshall is batting .308 in the month of April with 18 home runs. The Herd has out-scored its opponents, 75-31 in those 14 games, which includes a doubleheader sweep over No. 24 Ohio State and three conference series wins.

Last weekend, the Herd traveled to Hattiesburg, Miss., for a three-game series. Samantha Rodriguez, the reigning C-USA Co-Hitter of the Week, hit first inning homers in the first two games of the series. In game one, she blasted a solo shot to left field to put Marshall on the board early. The Herd would hold a lead for six-straight innings, before surrendering two runs in the seventh to suffer a 2-1 loss. Marshall would gain revenge with a 6-0 victory in the second game and claimed a rubber-match victory in the finale, 5-2.

Prior to its trip to Hattiesburg, Miss., the Herd hit the road for a doubleheader against Morehead State. The Herd swept the Eagles after posting a 3-1 victory, which included back-to-back-to-back home runs from Rachel Folden, Rodriguez and Caitlyn Jackson. After achieving the feat, Marshall continued with its pursuit of a sweep with a 5-4 victory in the finale.

Marshall's Samantha Rodriguez was awarded for her efforts during last week play with a C-USA Hitter of the Week Award, the second of her career. She finished the week going 11-for-19 with three home runs, three doubles and seven RBIs.

Fellow senior and three-time weekly award honoree in 2008, Folden continues to pace the Herd. With a .430 average and a team-high 50 runs, 16 home runs, 19 doubles and 61 hits. She has the third highest slugging percentage in the nation with a .915 percentage.

Marshall ace Jackson has 11 victories with a 164.0 innings pitched. During the last 14 games, she has posted a 1.58 ERA and a 6-1 record. Junior pitcher Autumn Mitchell earned her first career shutout, when she defeated Southern Miss, 6-0. She has the lowest ERA on the team, 2.58.

Tulsa (28-20, 9-9) enters the weekend riding a four-game winning streak. The Golden Hurricane swept Central Arkansas and Missouri State during Monday and Wednesday's action. Tulsa's Lauren Lindsay leads the Golden Hurricane with a .373 batting average and a conference best 21 doubles. With 11 home runs and 37 RBIs, Lindsay has been the primary offensive threat for Tulsa.

First baseman Sara Dyer has the second best average (.342), doubles (16), RBIs (26) and runs scored (50) and continues to be a main contributor with Tulsa's offense.

In the pitching circle for the Golden Hurricane will be Jordan Kinard and Jackie Lawrence. Kinard has the lowest ERA, 1.49, while Larence has made the most appearances, 26. Both have pitched over 100 innings individually and have over 100 strikeouts.

The Herd and Golden Hurricane have squared off eight times in the all-time series with both teams claiming four wins. Marshall a 2-1 record at home against Tulsa.

Free GameTracker and live streaming via All-Access will be available for all three games.