North Texas Daily

Jordan Ottaway // Staff Writer

The Mean Green softball team completed its stay in Huntington, W. Va., Sunday with an 8-2 win over Marshall University to get the series sweep.

UNT (27-15, 12-5) swept a conference series for the third time this year against the Thundering Herd (17-26, 6-9). The team also topped the University of Texas at El Paso March 21 to 22 and Middle Tennessee State University March 8 to 9 without losing a game.

“I think the ability for us to come out and sweep a team like Marshall was an incredible opportunity for us,” associate head coach Rone Robinson said.

Senior pitcher Ashley Kirk had a solid outing on the mound, pitching 6.1 innings and 10 strikeouts. She also picked up her 19th win of the season which puts her in a tie for first place on the North Texas single-season wins list with Kristina Fowler (2005-2008).

“Ashley Kirk did a phenomenal job today coming out, staying on top of her game and staying in control of her pitches,” Robinson said.

Kirk kept the Marshall batters on their toes, throwing a variety of effective pitches each inning that ranged from her fastball to her change-up.

“I have to give all the credit to my catcher and my defense that played behind me,” Kirk said. “They made some great plays, and my ball didn’t move how I wanted it to some of the time an Bryana [Wade] stuck with it and played great today.”

The score stayed 2-0 until the offense came alive in the final two innings and scored the last six runs. Senior center fielder Brooke Foster was walked and loaded the bases for freshman pinch hitter Kenzie Grimes, who singled to center field bringing home two runs.

Adding to the charge was sophomore designated hitter Taylor Schoblocher, who had an inside-the-park home run with a shot to left center in the top of the seventh inning.

“They [Marshall’s pitchers] looked tired, they looked like they were quitting once we got up 5-0,” Schoblocher said.

Junior centerfielder Kat Strunk brought in her only RBI of the day with a single that scored Foster in the bottom of the sixth inning.

Robinson said the team’s solid energy level was a big help in keeping the team focused and that it will for sure help them in the final stretch of conference play this season.

Sophomore utility Karly Williams did not travel back with the team after being hit in the jaw by a pitch in yesterday’s game against Marshall, but sports information director Tim McNamara said she’s recovering well.

“I’ve been talking to her all night and she’s doing well,” McNamara said. “She will be just fine.”

UNT will return home to prepare for local rival, the University of Texas at Arlington, at 6 p.m. April 16 at Lovelace Stadium.