|
Hunt Pitches Baseball Past Marshall For 4-1 C-USA Victory
March 24, 2007
Box Score in PDF Format
CHARLESTON, W.Va. - Sophomore right-hander Shooter Hunt struck out seven and did not allow an earned run in an 8.0-inning start and senior catcher Ty Wallace went 2-for-4 with a pair or RBI as the Tulane University baseball team defeated Conference USA foe Marshall, 4-1, Saturday afternoon at Appalachian Power Park. If the game was decided solely on earned runs, the two teams may still be playing as all five runs were of the unearned variety. The difference in the game, however, was a two-error second inning by the Herd that led to all four of the Green Wave's runs. "I think we played a great game," Hunt said. "We had that one error but they made three and that hurt them more then anything. Ty did a great job behind the plate, squeezing the third strikes off the foul tip and then getting the big two-run hit for us." Hunt (5-2) allowed just five hits - all singles - and issued only one walk while facing just six more then the minimum during his time on the hill. Freshman Preston Claiborne came on for Hunt to start the ninth and pitched his way around a leadoff single to earn his second save of the year. The Green Wave hurlers were the beneficiaries of some spectacular defensive plays, especially down the stretch. With the Green Wave leading by the eventual final score, Marshall centerfielder Mason Chapman hit a leadoff single and third baseman Matt Helm followed with what appeared to be a bunt single down the third base line. Tulane sophomore third baseman Seth Henry had other ideas as he raced in on the play, made the grab and fired over to senior Tim Guidry at first in time.
It was a similar situation in the ninth when Herd shortstop Brandon Camassima reached on a leadoff single before second baseman Josh Valle ripped a shot toward the hole in the right side of the infield. Guidry dove to right to keep the ball from getting to the outfield and beat Valle to the bag to thwart the Marshall rally before it had a chance to get started. "We played really well defensively," Tulane head coach Rick Jones said. "We had really, really good play at third base today from Seth Henry. I thought the play he made on the bunt there in the eighth was a huge play in the game. We don't' get the out there, it could have been a tough day. Even though he was in, it was a perfect bunt and that was a tough play with a (quick) runner." After a scoreless first, the Green Wave pounced on the Herd by taking advantage of free passes. Valle committed an error in the first and booted two more in the second to help spark the Tulane rally. Marshall starter Brian Chrisman, who had walked just three all year before Saturday's contest, issued three of his six walks on the day in the stanza. With one on and one out, sophomore designated hitter Jonny Weiss it a easy-hop grounder to Valle at third, but his throw to first was high which put a pair of runners in scoring position. Wallace followed with a two-run single to the gap in left center for the game's first runs. The Green Wave kept the pressure on with two outs in the stanza as sophomore centerfielder Nate Simon walked and sophomore left fielder Anthony Scelfo singled to load the bases, and junior shortstop Cat Everett brought Wallace home with a walk of his own. The Herd had a chance to get out of the frame without any further damage done as junior second baseman Brad Emaus hit a dribbler to third, but Helm misplayed the ball once again which allowed Simon to score from 90 feet away. The score remained 4-0 until the bottom of the sixth when Helm and first baseman Brit Vincent hit back-to-back singles to open the frame, and the runners advanced 90 feet on a fielding error by Warren McFadden in right. The miscue hurt Tulane as Herd designated hitter Brendan Murphy lifted a sacrifice fly to center to bring Helm home, but Hunt rebounded with a pair of strikeouts to get out of the inning. Chrisman (3-1) pitched valiantly for Marshall - allowing five hits and six walks while fanning seven in a complete-game effort - but was tagged with the loss after being let down by his defense. Tulane and Marshall close out the weekend on Sunday with first pitch slated for 10 a.m. (CDT). Following the weekend in West Virginia, the Green Wave return to action on Tuesday, March 27, when they play host to Nicholls State at 6:30 p.m. at Zephyr Field. For ticket information, contact the Tulane Athletics Ticket Office at 504-861-WAVE. |
 
|
