Softball Claims First Conference Road Win of the Season

May 1, 2010

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. - For the first time this season, the University of Houston softball team won its first Conference USA road game when it swept a doubleheader against Marshall at "Dot" Hick Field Saturday afternoon. The Cougars improve to 28-22 (12-10 C-USA) on the season as Marshall drops to a 24-27 (3-17 C-USA) record.

GAME ONE

Houston 5, Marshall 3

Ashleigh Jones slapped a leadoff hit to begin the game. Initially trying to shift Jones to second on a sacrifice bunt, Katy Beth Sherman reached first safely when Melanie Stoehr dropped the ball at the bag. The duo advanced to second and third on an illegal pitch before Reina Gaber batted them in with a two-run double. In the bottom of the frame, Bailey Watts struck out the side to wrap up the inning.

The Cougars threatened in the third when Melissa Gregson blasted a double on two outs. Gaber followed in hopes of repeating her precious at bat, but unfortunately she flied out to center field.

Marshall knotted the game in the bottom of the inning. Melissa Loesing and Jessica Hughes reached on back-to-back bunts and advanced to third and second on a double steal. Loesing scored the first run when Caitlyn Jackson reached on a fielder's choice. After Marcena Bertoldo hit a sacrifice bunt and Alianna Telles fouled out to the catcher, Watts intentionally walked Rebecca Gamby to load the bases. She then walked in the second run on the next at bat before ending the inning with her seventh strikeout.

Houston tacked on another run in the fourth when Angela Spittler reached after getting hit by a pitch and advanced to second on Mary Tyler Dobson's single. She made it to third when Jennifer Klinkert singled to the shortstop and then scored after taking advantage of a throwing error by Telles.

The Thundering Herd once again tied the game in the bottom of the fifth inning when Telles blasted a leadoff home run to left-center field.

The Cougars answered back in the following inning. After Spittler reached on a throwing error by Stoehr, she was thrown out at second on Dobson's fielder's choice. On the next at bat, Klinkert plated the runner with a double and advanced to third on the throw. Holly Anderson drew a walk and stole second to put two runners on third and second. Jones then hit an RBI single up the middle, sending Klinkert home and putting Houston up 5-3.

Telles belted a double to center field in the bottom of the seventh inning but it wasn't enough for Marshall to salvage the game as Watts struck the last batter, leaving Telles stranded.

Watts (13-9) received the win after striking out nine batters and walking three over seven innings of work. Leading the Cougars, Jones and Klinkert recorded two hits with a run and an RBI each. Gaber also led with two RBI.

GAME TWO

Houston 3, Marshall 2

Houston drew another early lead in game two. Katy Beth Sherman hit a base single to the pitcher before Reina Gaber walked, putting runners on first and second. On the next at bat, Brooke Lathan reached on a fielding error by Jazmine Valle, which allowed Sherman to score the first run of the game.

The Thundering Herd answered back in the bottom of the first courtesy of another Alianna Telles home run.

Marshall threatened in the third when Melissa Loesing got in scoring position after bunting a single, stealing second and advancing to third on a passed ball. Amanda Crabtree pulled through with her third strikeout of the inning to end the threat.

In the following frame, the Cougars loaded the bases when Brooke Lathan reached on a fielder's choice, Jennifer Klinkert was hit by pitch and Mary Tyler Dobson hit a bunt single. Marshall retired the next two batters before Houston could take advantage of the three base runners.

Houston pulled ahead 2-1 in the fifth inning. After Sherman reached on a bunt, Melissa Gregson hit a long double down the left line to put runners at second and third. Caitlyn Jackson intentionally walked Gaber to load the bases. Lathan struck out swinging before Klinkert batted Sherman in with base single through the left side.

Baillie Lott blasted a double to left field to begin the sixth inning. Holly Anderson attempted to bunt her over to third on a sacrifice hit, but due to a fielding error by first baseman Melanie Stoehr, she made it to second, giving Lott enough time to score.

Valle put up another run for Marshall in the bottom of the inning with a solo homerun to left field. However, it would be enough for the Thundering Herd to come back and win the game.

Crabtree (11-10) received the win after fanning 10 batters and walking only one over seven innings of work. Sherman led the Cougars, going 2-for-4 with two runs.

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