Gulla Notches 700th Career Strikeout In Win Over Buffalo

4/30/2001

Huntington, W.Va. - Senior Sara Gulla struck-out 12, including her 700th career whiff, to lead Marshall University past Buffalo, 2-0, in the opener of the Mid-American Conference doubleheader Friday. Gulla returned in the nightcap and posted nine more strikeouts to earn the victory in relief, 4-1.


"Sara was awesome today," said head coach Shonda Stanton. "It really seems that she is getting stronger as this season goes. She has pitched great all year, but she has really stepped up for us over the last three weeks."


Gulla (Sr./Garden Grove, CA) tossed her third straight complete game shutout in the first game triumph. The left-handed hurler limited the Bulls to just a single hit. In the nightcap, Gulla relieved starting pitcher Sierra Davenport (Fr./Tucson, AZ). Davenport struggled after giving up five hits and one run in three and 1/3 innings. The one earned run snapped the Herd's 35 and 1/3 inning scoreless streak.


Gulla continued her dominance of the Buffalo lineup. In just three and 1/3 innings of relief, Gulla fanned nine batters, including four in the fifth inning. The left-handed hurler (19-12) lowered her team-best earned run-average to 1.62.


Gulla was not the lone Marshall player to break a record Friday night. Herd third basemen Vanessa Clarkson went 1-for-3 in the opener, including a RBI single. With that RBI, Clarkson moved past Jeanne Noble for career RBI's with 60. Clarkson was 2-for-3 with a run scored and two RBI in the nightcap. The junior ripper her fourth home run of the season over the left field wall in the bottom of the fifth inning.


"Vanessa is a clutch and run producing performer," said Stanton. "If we have anyone in scoring position, I want her at the plate. She has been our main offensive threat all year"


With the wins, Marshall (13-7) jumps past Ohio (13-8) into third place in the MAC East Division. Bowling Green edged Miami, 2-1, and remains alone atop the East with a 14-4 mark, while Kent State drubbed Akron, 7-2. The Golden Flashes stands in second with a 12-5 record.