AKRON, Ohio- The Marshall University Thundering Herd softball team came out on the short end of an impressive offensive display by both squads Friday, falling to number two seeded Western Michigan University, 7-5. The two teams combined for six home runs in the contest. The Herd will continue play in the loser’s bracket semi-final at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday.

“It was tough one to lose, but I am proud of girls for coming back and fighting hard,” head coach Shonda Stanton said. "We were a little too late offensively, however I am confident we will come out strong tomorrow.”

The Broncos (29-22) jumped out to an early 1-0 lead off a leadoff home run by Angie Fiero in the first inning. Western Michigan added another score in the second when Stefanie Scheumann hit a one-out single up the middle, moved to second on a sacrifice bunt and to third on a wild pitch. Fiero then doubled to score Scheumann. Kelly Barnett followed with a single which scored Fiero and gave the Broncos an early 3-0 lead.

Marshall’s Karri Britt (Huntington, W.Va.) came up with an answer to WMU’s Laura Stewart in the third, leading off the inning with a solo homerun. Britt’s left-centerfield bomb, her fourth of the season, made the score 3-1. MU’s Sara Spenia (Las Vegas, NV) laid down a bunt that caught Western Michigan of guard, causing the Broncos to make an errant throw. Spenia moved to second and then third on a pair of sacrifice hits. With two outs and Spenia on third Sierra Davenport (Tucson, Ariz.) laid down a perfect bunt, but was called out when her bat made contact with the ball as she tossed it to the ground, ending the inning for the Herd.

A walk and a double allowed Western Michigan to threaten in the fifth. A hustle play by Britt behind the plate and De’Shaun Drake (Spring Valley, Calif.) caught the Bronco runner at the plate and helped the Herd kill the WMU rally.

The fifth inning mirrored the third for the Herd. Leigh Wintter (Acworth, Ga.) won a fierce battle with WMU’s Stewart, blasting a towering leadoff homer to left field. Marshall again put more runners on the bases, but wasn’t able to push them in, but closed the margin to one run.

WMU was able to put three runs on the board in the top of the sixth inning. Mary McCloskey homered to leadoff the inning. The Broncos were able to push two more across and took a 6-2 lead in to the bottom of the sixth.

The number one seeded Herd however was not about to lie down as MU came out with the bats swinging in the bottom of the inning. Amanda Williams (Powder Springs, Ga.) lined a double to leadoff the inning. Drake followed her with a shot to left-center field that gave helped her build MU’s single season home run record to nine. Marshall wasn’t done as Allison Webb (Wayne, W.Va.) drew a walk and the speedy Noelle Adams (Wheeling, W.Va.) came in to run for her. Britt reached second base on a fielder’s choice as Adams was caught in a run down. Spenia then lined a single that scored Britt from second and cut the lead to one at 6-5.

WMU added another run in the top of the seventh on a home run by Marie McCarthy.

Marshall (41-16) threatened in the seventh as Amanda Williams singled, but couldn’t get any more in and the Herd fell by the score of 7-5.

Randi Nielson (Tucson, Ariz.) suffered the loss on the mound, falling to 23-6 on the year. Drake came in to give up only three hits in 3.1 innings of work. Sarah Chamberlain (Moses Lake, Wash.) also came in and pitched well for MU, allowing two hits and no walks in two innings.

Amanda Williams went 2-for-4 and Drake collected two RBIs including blasting a home run for Marshall. Wintter and Britt also homered for the Herd.

Marshall will face off against the winner of Friday night’s losers bracket match-up between Central Michigan University (26-17) and Miami University (25-21). The first pitch in the semi-final contest is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. at Firestone Stadium.

Herd fans don’t forget to listen to the game live through a link at www.marshall.edu/wmul. Also live stats are provided at www.mac-sports.com.

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