Softball Faces Ohio With MAC Tournament Berth At Stake

5/3/2001

Huntington, W.Va. - The Marshall University softball team has clearly been on a mission over the last three weeks. That mission, a spot in the Mid-American Conference Tournament, has one last hurdle this weekend as the Thundering Herd opens its three-game series with Ohio Friday. First-pitch tomorrow is set for 3 p.m. with a doubleheader Saturday at 1 p.m.


"Our players and coaches have talked about this weekend enough," said head coach Shonda Stanton. "We are just ready to play. The players have worked hard all year and want to finish the season strong. If we play to our ability, everything will work out."


Marshall (34-21, 14-7 MAC) has taken off since its five game losing streak a month ago. The Herd has won 15 of its last 18 games, including eight straight. In fact, the Herd is 12-2 in league play, the second best conference record in the same time span.


"We really have played tremendous softball the second half of the season," said Stanton. "Our style has been simple. We have ridden outstanding pitching, played solid, fundamental defense and timely hitting."


In the last 14 conference games, Marshall has batted .291, posted a 1.29 earned-run average and committed just 10 errors, good for a .974 fielding percentage. Sara Gulla (Sr./Garden Grove, CA) and Vanessa Clarkson (Jr./Moreno Valley, CA) have led the way. This duo has truly carried the Herd.


"We ask an awful lot from Sara and Vanessa," said Stanton. "They are two of the top players in this league and with that comes pressure to perform, but they have been awesome."


Gulla is 8-1 with a 0.95 ERA in 11 appearances. The left-handed hurler was struck-out 93 and walked just 10. Gulla has tossed seven complete games and four shutouts. On the offensive side, Clarkson is batting .435 with two home runs, five doubles and 15 RBI. The clean-up hitter has recorded a .674 slugging percentage and .480 on-base percentage.


The Thundering Herd (14-7) is in third place, just one game ahead of Ohio (13-8). Kent State (15-6) and Bowling Green (17-4) face-off in a three-game series to decide the East Division Championship. Marshall can qualify for the tournament under the following scenarios: First, Marshall takes two of three from the Bobcats. If that does not occur, then the Falcons must sweep the Golden Flashes and the Herd must win just one from Ohio.