Feb. 11, 2007
Box Score
LAS VEGAS -- Deanna Tourville's (Rescue, Calif./Ponderosa) bases-loaded RBI single in the bottom of the seventh inning successfully capped off Marshall's 5-4 comeback victory over the Nicholls State Colonels late Saturday night at Eller Media Stadium.
The win helped the Herd (2-2) rebound from its 12-3 loss earlier in the evening to the host UNLV Rebels.
Sophomore J.J. Bitner (Virginia Beach, Va./Princess Anne) went 4-for-4 with four singles - her third multi-hit performance of the tournament. Bitner, who recorded her second career 4-for-4 hitting performance, is 18-for-31 (.581) in her last 10 games, dating back to last season. Rachel Folden (Baldwin Park, Calif./Diamond Bar) went 1-for-3 with a three-run home run. With her first home run of the season, Folden (28 career home runs) became Marshall's all-time home run leader, passing former teammate Leigh Wintter.
Amanda Luers (Dover, Ohio/Dover) went the distance, pitching a complete-game seven-hitter. Luers (1-1) surrendered four runs - two of which were earned - while striking out three batters.
Krystalin Ensminger (0-3) suffered the loss, allowing five runs on eight hits with two strikeouts in 6 2/3 innings.
Six different Colonels batters recorded a hit. Amy Thibodeaux went 2-for-3 with a run scored, while Ashley Martin went 1-for-3 with a three-run home run.
After a scoreless first inning, Nicholls State broke the scoreboard with a three-run second inning to take a 3-0 lead. Jacqueline Pacheco led the inning off by reaching on a Marcena Bertoldo (Beaumont, Calif./Rialto) fielding error. Thibodeaux then singled to left-center field before Martin cleared the bases with a three-run home run to straightaway center field.
The Colonels added another run in the fourth inning. Rachel Pugh's RBI bunt single plated Gabby LeMaire to extend the Nicholls State lead to 4-0.
The Herd would being its rally in the fifth inning, cutting the deficit to one run, 4-3. With one out, Bertoldo reached base on a fielding error by Thibodeaux. Bitner then continued her offensive success with a single through the left side of the infield. Two batters later, Folden put the Herd on the board with a three-run home run to left-center field.
Rachael Sofie (Everett, Wash./Cascade) provided the equalizer in the sixth inning. Sofie's RBI single to left field plated Kristina Knecht (Concord, Calif./Daytona Beach CC) to knot the game at 4-4.
With the bases loaded in the bottom of the seventh inning, Tourville sent a chopping infield single towards shortstop Kat Harrell, which plated Tara Holmes (Sissonville, W.Va./Sissonville) for the game-winning run.
The Marshall Thundering Herd will conclude the 2007 Alexis Resort Kickoff Classic Sunday against the Pacific Tigers at 11 a.m. (PT). Live stats will be available via www.HerdZone.com.
Marshall 5, Nicholls State 4 (02/10/07 at Las Vegas, Nev.)
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Nicholls State...... 030 100 0 - 4 7 1 (0-4)
Marshall............ 000 031 1 - 5 8 3 (2-2)
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Pitchers: Nicholls State - ENSMINGER, Krystalin. Marshall - Luers, Amanda.
Win-LUERS, Amanda(1-1) Loss-ENSMINGER, Krystalin(0-3) T-1:50 A-337
HR NSU - MARTIN, Ashley. HR MARSHALL - Folden, Rachel (1).
