Game 2 Box

Marshall finishes the 2001 season 35-23, 15-9 in the MAC. The 35 overall wins are the most since the 1997 season and the 15 league wins are the most since the Herd re-entered the league in 1998.

Athens, Ohio -- The Marshall University softball team needed just one victory over Ohio University Saturday, but the Bobcats put to rest any hopes of a Mid-American Conference Tournament berth for the Thundering Herd with its sweep, 1-0 and 11-3 (8), in softball action from Ohio Softball Field. The loss snapped MarshallÕs nine-game winning streak.

"We had a heck of a year," said head coach Shonda Stanton. "This team is full of champions, each and every young lady. Maybe, we did not win a championship as a team, but they are championship people."

In the opener, Ohio senior starting pitcher Kasey Dowd completely shut down Marshall. The right-handed hurler struck-out two and limited the Herd to just a pair of hits. Dowd, who was one of three seniors honored in their last home game, upped her record to 7-9.

The Bobcats grabbed the lead in the bottom of the fourth inning. Ohio loaded the bases with just one out on a pair of singles and a walk. Crystal Turner stepped up and delivered a sacrifice fly that proved to be the difference.

Marshall did manage a small threat in the top of the seventh inning. Dana Black (Fr./Rancho Cucamonga, CA) reached base on a Bobcat error to lead off the inning. After Allison Webb (Fr./Wayne, WV) moved Black over a sacrifice bunt, Jenny Ryther (Sr./Westerville, OH) laced the 1-2 pitch right at Kelli Bankert, who in an attempt to turn a double play threw wildly into right field. Black advanced to third base, but was called out after an appeal determined Black did not return to second base and tag up.

Sierra Davenport (Fr./Tucson, AZ) picked up the loss for Marshall. The rookie right-handed (14-10) gave up six hits and one earned run. Davenport walked just one and lowered her earned run average to 1.86.

With the series and season on the line, Ohio took the momentum from the first game and cruised past the Herd, 11-3, in eight innings. Marshall did jump out to a one run lead, but was not able to keep the Bobcats down. Ohio tied the score in the second and blew it open with back-to-back five run innings in the third and fourth. The key blow was delivered by another one of OhioÕs three seniors. Stephanie Stapleton crushed a grand slam, the first home run of her career, over the centerfield wall to put the Bobcats ahead, 6-1. Ohio added five more runs in the fourth, but Marshall managed two runs in the top of the fifth. Coach Stanton was proud of the teamÕs resiliency despite the unfortunate circumstances.

"Even in the end, this team kept fighting," said Stanton. "I could not be more proud of a team. Sure, we fell short, but we accomplished so much this season. It is just too bad that it had to end this way."

Marshall finishes the 2001 season 35-23, 15-9 in the MAC. The 35 overall wins are the most since the 1997 season and the 15 league wins are the most since the Herd re-entered the league in 1998. Marshall also eclipsed its pervious high single-season winning percentage of .621.

Nichole Corrigan (Jr./Corona, CA) finished the season with a .352 batting average after going 2-for-6 in the twin bill. Davenport topped the .300 mark after a 2-for-5 performance. Vanessa Clarkson (Jr./Moreno Valley, CA) went hitless in six at-bats, which snapped her season and career best hitting streak at 15.