In the final contest of the three-game conference opening weekend, the Marshall University softball team fell to Tulsa, 8-1 on Sunday afternoon.
Reminiscent of Saturday’s game, the Tulsa Hurricane (17-7, 3-0 C-USA) were able to tally six runs in the bottom of the first frame off eight hits.
In the circle, Marshall (10-13, 0-3 C-USA) moved from starter Natalee Pulver to Erika Bennett during the first to log the remaining two outs. Bennett would close the remaining 5.2 innings, fanning one batter along the way.
Déjà vu was in the air as the Herd would get on the board in the second, 6-1, with a homer to right center, this time off the bat of Rebecca Gamby. The junior catcher has belted a team-best five long balls this year and moves up to 16 for her career.
In the top of the third TU made a change in the circle with designated player Aimee Creger relieving Lacey Middlebrooks who left after two complete frames. Creger improves to 9-1 with the win through 5.0 innings of work and eight strikeouts while Pulver falls to 3-6 after the loss.
The board remained unchanged through the next 4.5 innings until the Golden Hurricane added an additional two runs in the bottom of the sixth for the eventual 8-1 win.
Top hitter for Marshall was Alianna Telles who went 2-for-3 at the dish. TU’s Caitlin Everett was 3-for-4 with two runs scored and one RBI.
The Thundering Herd returns to the Dot to host East Carolina on Saturday March 19 in a doubleheader with first pitch slated for 1 p.m. Sunday’s game is scheduled for a noon start.