COLUMBUS, Ohio- The Marshall University softball team lost a heartbreaker to Ohio State in game one of a double-header, 3-2. Ohio State University went on to take a shortened game two victory, 6-0.

After a 1-2-3 first inning in the first contest for the Herd and a single hit for the Buckeyes in their half, the rain rolled into Columbus. Lightning and occasional downpours plagued the area for over one and a half hours. When the game got going again the Herd was ready. Allison Webb (Wayne, W.Va.) recorded the Herd first hit of the game in the second, but was left stranded at first base.

Marshall’s Sara Spenia (Las Vegas, NV) blasted a leadoff double in what looked to be a big third inning for the Herd. Courtney Kacenga (Sierra Vista, NV) followed with a deep fly ball that landed her on second, but holding in case of a catch, Spenia could only make it to third. The Herd was not able to get a run in on three straight ground balls and the score remained 0-0 after three innings.

The Herd used its speed to push a run across in the top of the fourth. De’Shaun Drake (Spring Valley, Calif.) reached base after the Buckeye second baseman errored her hard hit ball. Webb then collected her second straight hit, putting runners on the corners. After Noelle Adams (Wheeling W.Va.) came into run for Webb, Drake was able to take home plate as the Buckeyes threw down to second base. Ohio State did however come back to even the score at 1-1 on a solo home run by Stacy Hibma in the bottom of the fourth.

The Buckeyes threatened in the bottom of the fifth with a pair of hits and a Herd error. After Herd hurler Randi Nielson (Tucson, Ariz.) enticed OSU’s clean-up hitter into a bases loaded ground ball, Kacenga was able to end the inning tagging the runner going to second and throwing to first for the double play.

Marshall regained the lead in the top of the sixth. Amanda Williams reached second base on throwing error by the Buckeyes and Drake knocked in her 51st run of the season with a base hit to center.

A stellar effort by the Herd however came up short as the Buckeyes scored two dramatic two-out runs to seal the victory in the bottom of the seventh inning. After a leadoff out the Buckeyes came up with two straight singles. The Herd collected the second out of the inning on a ground ball to the right side, but the OSU runners were able to move to second and third base. After an intentional walk Stacy Hibma came through with a hard hit ball that bounced into the outfield, scoring two runs and giving the Buckeyes the narrow 3-2 win.

Still looking for her school record 23rd victory, Nielson picked up only her fifth loss of the season on the mound. Webb led the Herd at the plate going 2-for-3 on the game.

Due to the rain delay the Ohio State field crew hustled to prepare the field inbetween contests as the sun was beginning to set and the lights on Buckeye Field were inoperable.

Marshall used another double play to end a Buckeye threat in the bottom of the first inning of game two. In the top of the second the designated hitter, Webb reached second base on a Buckeye throwing error and the designated fielder, Sarah Wilson (Parkersburg, W.Va.) promptly replaced her on the bases. After a Herd out Karri Britt (Huntington, W.Va.) moved Wilson to third with a hard grounder. With two out MU wasn’t able to get her in and the game remained
scoreless.

The Buckeyes did take a commanding lead in the third. Numerous walks and a grand slam home run allowed OSU to take a 6-0 lead.

As the field grew increasingly dark, the Herd could not get anything going offensively and fell, 6-0. The contest went only four and one half innings, just enough for an official game, due to darkness.

Drake suffered the loss on the mound, falling to 8-4 on the year. The Herd will return to action in the Mid-American Conference tournament on May 8th in Akron, Ohio. Stay tuned to www.herdzone.com for updates.