Box Score

Sara Gulla earned the victory for Marshall in the Thundering Herd's opening game against Ohio.

ATHENS, Ohio - Marshall University exploded for six runs in the top of the ninth inning to take the opener of a three-game series with Ohio, 9-3, in Mid-American Conference softball action at Ohio Softball Field Friday.

"I am so proud of our girls," said head coach Shonda Stanton. "We were not able to get much going early in the game, but did not quit. We came through in the seventh, but it got away from us. We could have put our heads down. Instead, we came right at them and put the game away."

The Bobcats (30-21, 13-9 MAC) jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning. Ohio scored due in part to a pair of Herd errors. The score remained 1-0 until the seventh inning.

The Herd (34-21, 15-7 MAC) finally broke through in the seventh inning. Jenny Ryther (Sr./Westerville, OH) singled and Nikki Wilcox (Jr./Lake Forrest, CA) singled. With two outs, Nichole Corrigan (Jr./Corona, CA) came to the plate. After falling behind 0-2, Corrigan worked the count full and laced an RBI single back up the middle. Ryther appeared to be out, but knocked the ball loose at the play at the plate. The Herd increased its lead, 3-1, on a pair of unearned runs on Kelli Bankert's errant throw.

With a two-run lead, Marshall looked ready to close out the game. Herd starting pitcher Sara Gulla (Sr./Garden Grove, CA) retired the leadoff hitter, but walked Bankert. After Bankert was retired on a fielder's choice, up stepped Erin Chapman. The freshman also fell behind 0-2, but fouled off five pitched and worked the count full. Chapman hammered the 3-2 pitch over the right-field wall to tie the score, 3-3.

After a quiet eighth inning, Marshall broke the game open in the top of the ninth inning. The Herd pounded out eight hits and six runs. Vanessa Clarkson (Jr./Moreno Valley, CA) gave Marshall the lead for good with a two-run single. The third-basemen extended her hitting streak to 15. Kelli Hall (Jr./Huntington, WV), Dana Black (Fr./Rancho Cucamonga, CA) and Corrigan all added RBI singles.

Gulla (21-12) earned the victory. The left-handed hurler struck-out four and walked three. The two-run home run in the seventh marked the first earned runs Gulla had given up in 37 and 1/3 innings of work.

Bobcats starting pitcher Val Wood (14-4) was charged for eight runs, six earned and struck-out seven in eight and 1/3 innings of work. Kristie Howe was charged with one earned run in 2/3 innings of work out of the pen.

Corrigan went 4-for-6 with two RBI and two-runs scored. Ryther and Karri Britt (So./Huntington, WV) each added three hits. Clarkson was 1-for-5 with a run scored and two RBI. Black went 2-for-5 with a runs scored and RBI.

Marshall and the Bobcats return Saturday at 1 p.m. for a doubleheader. The Herd needs just one victory for its second straight berth to the MAC Tournament.