The Thundering Herd was quick to get to a 2-0 lead just three batters into the first inning following a hit batter and a home run. Starting pitcher Megan Hensley would surrender nothing else during the time in her circle as she finished with five innings, allowing two runs on three hits.
Louisville's first rally came in the fifth inning as Kyra Snyder, Cassady Greenwood, and Maddy Newman all singled. A throwing error plated the Cards' first run. Celene Funke hit into a fielder's choice ground out that drove in the tying run.
Taylor Roby came to the circle for the sixth inning. After Sidney Melton had trouble fielding a grounder, Marshall had the go ahead run at the plate. They made the most of the opportunity with a home run that barely snuck out over the left wall field by a few feet to retake the lead, 4-3.
Louisville came up to the plate in the top of the seventh trailing by one. The first two batters grounded out, leaving the Cards with one out to spare.
Show time.
Funke doubled left center with a 1-2 count on her. Melton followed by belting a game-tying triple into right center. Fellow senior Hensley followed with a double to give the Cards a one-run edge.
With the Marshall crowd silenced, Roby came to the circle for a second straight inning. She made quick work of the batters, downing them one-two-three and earning the win to improve her record to 13-1.
Following the weekend series they will travel to NC State for their final regular season games, followed by a trip to Tallahassee for the ACC Tournament.
The Cards sit 29th in the latest RPI. Reaching the 35-win mark and winning their round game in the ACC Tournament should be the mark to earn a bid to the NCAA Tournament this year.
Walz Holds Postseason Presser
With Paulie on a mini vacation and the rest of us obliged to our daily work duties, Jeff Walz decided to hold a press conference. No, it wasn't to mess with us, but it did come at an unfortunate time for us. Luckily, the women's basketball team Facebook page went live during the event for all of us to follow.Right off the bat Coach was asked about the eligibility of the incoming transfers. UofL has not started the process to go about trying to get the players immediate eligibility. If approved, they'll be playing in the fall. If not, they'll redshirt a year before playing.
It was mentioned that Kylee Shook had a minor procedure to "clean her knees up" and Bionca Dunham will go about that same process later in the summer. This is not expected to affect their return in the fall.
Boise State and Western Kentucky are a couple of the non-conference games at home this year while Kentucky and Northern Kentucky will be road games. There is the possibility of a Thanksgiving tournament, but is not yet finalized.
UofL is not yet set to face Sam Williams and EKU and that may be a few years in the making as Coach Williams hopes to build up the program.The leaders for next year are not set. Coach is hopeful that Jaz, Dana, and Kylee might be some of the players to step up next season.
There was no breaking news, good or bad, during the press conference. It was just the normal. Or, as normal as anything that Jeff Walz is in can be. See Walz below:
VIDEO: WALZ PRESSER 4/23/19
Happy Wednesday and Go Cards!
Jared
