March 7, 2003
HUNTINGTON, W.V. - The Cleveland State softball team fell in its season opener to host Marshall 6-1 in the Radisson Softball Classic Friday at Dot Hicks Field.
The Herd jumped out to the lead in the first as Jessica Williams led off, knocking a hard single to the third baseman. Williams then stole second and moved to third on a single by Amanda Williams. A grounder by De'Shaun Drake pushed the run across and put Marshall up 1-0 after the first.
In the bottom of the third inning, four straight Marshall singles set the stage for Drake's three-run homer. Marshall put five runs on the board in the inning and found themselves up 6-0 after three complete.
The Vikings (0-1) got an unearned run across in the top of the fifth as the Herd opened the inning with an error. Freshman Grace Luginbuhl (Lima, Ohio/Bath), pinch-running for Jessica Miller, stole second and third before off of J.J. Thornberry's (Elgin, Ohio/Marion) single to center. The score would remain 6-1 for the duration of the contest.
Randi Nielson picked up her sixth win of the season for the Herd while Thornberry suffered the loss in her first collegiate appearance.