Marshall University Athletics
Herd Prepares for College of Charleston's Cougar Classic
2/22/2006 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Cougar Classic Game Notes in PDF Format
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Feb. 22, 2006
CHARLESTON, S.C. - The Marshall Thundering Herd, participating in its third consecutive tournament hosted by a 2005 NCAA Regional participant, will play in the College of Charleston's Cougar Classic, beginning Friday.
Last weekend, the Herd (6-5) finished an even 3-3 at the Georgia Softball Classic, hosted by the University of Georgia in Athens, Ga. After blanking Appalachian State 8-0 and Winthrop 3-0 Friday, the Herd lost both games Saturday before splitting its twin bill Sunday.
Marshall will open the Cougar Classic against fellow Conference USA member East Carolina (8-2) Friday at 10 a.m. The Herd then face recent Division I addition North Florida (5-1) at 12:30 p.m. UNF moved to Division I in 2005 and is currently in its second year as a member of the Atlantic Sun Conference.
Saturday, the Herd faces host College of Charleston at 3:30 p.m., followed by the Dayton Flyers at 8:30 p.m.
The Herd will wrap up the weekend tournament against former Mid-American Conference foe Akron Sunday at 9 a.m.
Marshall is a combined 21-24 against the tournament field and will meet the Ospreys for the first time in program history Friday.
Friday will mark the fourth time the Herd has faced the Pirates, with Marshall holding a 2-1 series advantage. Last season, the Herd split a pair of games at the ECU Pirate Clash.
Later this season, Marshall will travel to Greenville, N.C., to face the Pirates April 1-2.
The College of Charleston has won all four previous meetings with the Herd. Last season, the Herd lost 7-5 to the Cougars at the Auburn Invitational.
Marshall, however, hasn't had many problems with the Dayton Flyers in the previous 10 meetings. The Herd holds a 9-1 advantage over UD. Saturday will mark the school's first meeting since March 9, 2003, when the Herd defeated the Flyers 8-1 in Huntington at the Radisson Softball Classic.
It's only fitting that the Herd begins the weekend with a new conference rival and ends with an old one. Marshall closes out the Cougar Classic against long-time MAC rival Akron Sunday. The Zips are 18-10 all-time against the Herd. Marshall, however, has won the last three meetings in the series.
Following its trip to South Carolina, the Thundering Herd will participate in its final regular season tournament at the Buzz Classic March 3-5 in Marietta, Ga.
College of Charleston Cougar Classic (Charleston, S.C.)College of Charleston Softball Stadium at Patriot's Point
Friday, February 2410 a.m. - Marshall vs. East Carolina12:30 p.m. - Marshall vs. North Florida3 p.m. - College of Charleston vs. Dayton5:30 p.m. - College of Charleston vs. Akron8 p.m. - Dayton vs. North Florida
Saturday, February 258 a.m. - East Carolina vs. Akron10:30 a.m. - North Florida vs. Akron1 p.m. - College of Charleston vs. North Florida3:30 p.m. - College of Charleston vs. Marshall6 p.m. - Dayton vs. East Carolina8:30 p.m. - Dayton vs. Marshall
Sunday, February 269 a.m. - Marshall vs. Akron11:30 a.m. - Dayton vs. Akron2 p.m. - North Florida vs. East Carolina4:30 p.m. - College of Charleston vs. East Carolina
