In the final matchup of the three-game series at the University of Houston, the Marshall University softball team lost 4-1 to the Cougars on Sunday afternoon.
Amanda Crabtree picked up her 13th win of the season in a 4-1, 12 strikeout performance improving the Coogs to 24-12 overall and 8-4 in Conference USA. Natalee Pulver, 6-10, receives the loss for Marshall after facing three batters.
The Thundering Herd (13-20, 1-87 C-USA) fell behind early when back-to-back homers from Holly Anderson and Melissa Gregson to center and right center, respectively, gave UH a 2-0 lead in the first with one out on the board.
Andi Williamson then made the move out of the bullpen, replacing Pulver.
With a full count in the second, Rebecca Gamby continued her home run streak with a long shot to right center, planting Marshall right back into the mix of the game at 2-1 heading into the bottom of the stanza. Gamby’s homer is her eighth of the season and fourth in Conference USA play – giving her a long ball against each C-USA opponent the Herd has faced thus far.
Gregson continued the contest’s home run fanfare when she came back with her second homer of the day in the fourth, on a solo shot to right center adding safety in a 3-1 Cougar lead. Houston proceeded to load the bases in a two-out rally, leading up to Marshall walking in Jennifer Klinkert.
The Herd elected to call up its third pitcher of the game in Erika Bennett, with Williamson leaving after 3.1 innings of work and two strikeouts. Bennett forced a fly out to center to halt the Houston spree at 4-1, the eventual final score.
Marshall remains on the road for a doubleheader at Wright State on Wednesday, April 6. The twin bill is slated for a 2 p.m. start time.