April 27, 2006

Memphis Game Notes in PDF Format
Download Free Acrobat Reader

SOUTHAVEN, Miss. - After an unexpected break from competition, the Marshall Thundering Herd embarks on its final Conference USA series when it faces the Memphis Tigers for a three-game set at Greenbrook Park this weekend.

A 2 p.m. (EDT) doubleheader is scheduled for Saturday, followed by a 1 p.m. (EDT) single game Sunday. Live stats, as well as a live radio broadcast for all three games, will be available at www.gotigersgo.com.

Tuesday, the Herd (29-21, 13-8 C-USA) was originally scheduled to face the Morehead State Eagles for a doubleheader at Morehead, Ky. However, with the Herd leading 1-0 in the bottom of the fifth inning, the game was called because of persistent heavy rain.

The inclement weather forced the cancellation as Morehead State had runners on second and third with two outs. Per NCAA rules, it is not an official game since the first contest lasted only 4 2/3 innings and five complete frames are needed for an official game.

Marshall, which finished its home schedule with a 15-4 overall mark and 9-3 in C-USA play, has not faired as well on the road in conference play. The Herd is 4-5 against conference schools on the road, winning only one series - at East Carolina, April 1-2.

Earlier this season, the Herd dropped its C-USA debut series at Southern Miss before capturing the road series win at East Carolina. The Herd then dropped its first two games at UTEP before winning the series finale.

The Herd, which has won five of its last six games, is led by four ferocious hitters at the top of the lineup. Conference USA Preseason Player of the Year Rachel Folden (Baldwin Park, Calif./Diamond Bar) leads the Herd with a .363 average, 17 home runs and 50 RBI.

Reigning C-USA Hitter of the Week Amanda Williams (Powder Springs, Ga./Harrison) leads the conference with 22 doubles and ranks fifth nationally in doubles per game. Williams, the Herd's lead-off hitter, is batting at a .351 clip with seven home runs, 21 RBI and a team-best 59 hits.

Twin sister Jessica Williams (Powder Springs, Ga./Harrison) and Ashley Mitchell (Kennesaw, Ga./Harrison) are the only other two Herd batters hitting over .300. Williams, third on the team with 45 hits, is batting .315 with 11 doubles and 13 RBI, while Mitchell is hitting .349 with 44 hits and eight RBI.

In the circle, the Herd is led by a pair of 13-win pitchers. Junior southpaw Abigail Harter (Monmouth, Ore./Santiam Christian) leads the staff with a 13-9 mark and a 2.66 earned run average. Harter is 7-4 with a 1.81 ERA in conference play. Senior Veronica Ralston (Tucson, Ariz./Catalina Foothills) is 13-12 with a 3.99 ERA and a team-high 119 strikeouts. Against C-USA competition, Ralston boasts a 6-4 record and a 2.83 ERA.

Memphis (26-22, 8-9 C-USA), which has won five of its last six games, has been a pleasant surprise in its inaugural season in Conference USA. Last weekend, the Tigers won its three-game home series against East Carolina.

The Tigers are paced offensively by junior college transfer Bridgette McNulty, who is batting .342 with 13 doubles, nine home runs and 36 RBI. McNulty, a 2005 NJCAA First Team All-American at Central Arizona College, is second in home runs in Conference USA only to Folden.

Like the Herd, the Tigers present a dual threat in the circle. Memphis' pitching staff, which has a combined 1.93 ERA, is led by Jenna Kubesch who has an 11-9 record with a 1.65 ERA and 139 strikeouts. Nicki Johnson is 12-8 with a 1.77 ERA and 113 strikeouts.

Following Marshall's final road weekend of the 2006 regular season, the Thundering Herd will enjoy a week off to focus on final exams before traveling to Tulsa, Okla., for the 2006 Conference USA Softball Championships. The three-day tournament will be hosted by the University of Tulsa at the Donna J. Hardesty Sports and Recreation Complex May 11-13. For ticket information, please contact the Tulsa Ticket Office at (918) 631-GoTU (4688).