April 20, 2007

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HUNTINGTON - This could be the series that dictates the Marshall Thundering Herd's postseason fate as the ninth-place Memphis Tigers make their inaugural trip to the Mountain State this weekend.

The pivotal three-game Conference USA series begins with a 1 p.m. (EST) doubleheader Saturday, followed by a single game Sunday, also beginning at 1 p.m. (EST). Fans can listen to the games live on WMUL-FM 88.1, approximately 20 minutes prior to first pitch. CSTV GameTracker will be available on www.HerdZone.com.

Saturday is will also be "Lil' Sis Day". The Thundering Herd softball team will recognize members of the Lil' Sis program between games one and two of Saturday's doubleheader.

Marshall (25-22, 7-11 C-USA), which is currently in seventh place in the conference standings, enters the three-game set on a three-game winning streak. With six conference games left to play, the Herd sits only 1.5 games out of fifth place.

Wednesday, the Herd's offense awoke from its recent dry spell, exploding for 18 runs on 24 hits en route to an impressive doubleheader sweep of the Ohio Bobcats.

"After Wednesday's sweep at Ohio, I really feel like our team understands what we are able to accomplish at the plate," Marshall head coach Shonda Stanton said. "Our success this weekend will be dependent upon our offensive execution."

Prior to game one of Wednesday's twin bill, the Herd had recorded a combined 15 hits in its last four games. In the doubleheader opener, Marshall rattled off 15 hits, cruising to a solid 7-2 win. The Herd's offensive prowess would continue in game two, as Marshall took an early 6-0 lead and held on for an eventual 11-3 rout.

"Our hitters should have a renewed confidence with how well we attached the ball at Ohio," Stanton said. "We need to carry the momentum from our last three games into the Memphis series."

The Herd holds a slim 2-1 margin in the brief series. Last season, Marshall won the first game of a doubleheader with the first-year program behind a 17-hit offensive barrage. However, the Tigers bounced back in game two before the Herd won the rubber match on Sunday.

Since starting the season 17-7, Memphis (27-18, 4-9 C-USA) has suffered a recent downward spiral, going 10-11 in its last 21 games. Wednesday, the Tigers split a non-conference doubleheader at home with Tennessee State.

In the circle, Memphis is led by senior Jenna Kubesch who is 17-7 with a 2.56 earned run average and 160 strikeouts. Offensively, the Tigers have an evenly distributed lineup with seven different players having hit four or more home runs this season.

Kara Ross paces the Tiger offense with a .315 batting average, five home runs and 32 RBI, while Leila Dolfo leads the squad in hits (44), doubles (15) and home runs (8).

"We need to treat every game as a championship game since each win will go a long way in securing that final C-USA spot," Stanton said.

Rachel Folden (Baldwin Park, Calif./Diamond Bar) continues to lead Conference USA with a .425 batting average, while leading the nation in walks (43) and intentional walks (13). Fellow West Coast bomber Samantha Rodriguez (Oakley, Calif./Freedom) leads the Herd with 14 doubles and 44 RBI to go along with her .316 average and eight home runs.

"It's all about taking care of ourselves this weekend, being disciplined but aggressive in all phases of the game."

Following this weekend's series with the Memphis Tigers, the Marshall Thundering Herd will bid farewell to its senior class and Dot Hicks Field next Saturday. Marshall will host the Georgetown Hoyas for a 1 p.m. non-conference doubleheader in the final game at "The Dot".