Marshall University Athletics
@HerdSB Dominates in Fall Ball Double Header Wins
10/4/2015 12:00:00 AM | Softball
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. - The Marshall softball team dominated in both games of its double header against Concord University. The Herd (4-2 in the fall) win 12-1 in game one and 16-4 in game two.
Marshall started off fast in the first inning of game one scoring five runs on five hits. The first six batters all reached base safely and combined for seven stolen bases on the way to the five runs. The Herd scored one more run in the second inning and six runs in the fourth.
Head Coach Shonda Stanton is very pleased at the development of her hitters at the top of the lineup. "Kaelynn (Greene) and Elicia (D'Orazio) had monster days and throw in how consistent (Morgan) Zerkle is, we are really excited at how they continue to work on their skill set," Coach Stanton said. "They give us a great set at the top of the lineup."
Junior Jordan Dixon (Edmond, Okla.) started in the circle for Marshall and got the win pitching four innings scattering four hits, allowing one run and striking out eight Mountain Lion batters. Freshman Abigail Tolbert (Barboursville, W.Va.) pitched the final inning and allowed only one hit.
Senior Kaelynn Greene (Eastvale, Calif.), junior Morgan Zerkle (Milton, W.Va.) and sophomore Elicia D'Orazio (Clermont, Fla.) combined for seven hits, six runs and eight stolen bases. Senior Katalin Lucas came through with a triple in the fourth inning for and drove in three runs for the game as well as scoring two runs. Sophomore Taylor McCord (Gilbert, Ariz.) was 2-3 at the plate with a run scored. Sophomore Madi Marshall had a two RBI single in the fourth inning in her only plate appearance of the game.
In game two the Herd got rolling again right from the start scoring three runs in the first off of four hits and a Concord error. The Herd scored two more in the second inning, eight runs in the fourth and three more in the sixth.
The offense cranked out 21 hits with five extra base hits including a triple and an Inside-the-Park home run both by D'Orazio. She finished a double short of the cycle with three hits and four RBI. Freshman Briana Daiss (Clermont, Fla.) went 3-4 at the plate. Another freshman Hayden Ellis (Ashville, Ohio), who started at catcher, was 2-4 in game two.
Senior Brittanie Fowler (Avon, Ohio) pitched the first three innings and did not allow a hit. Freshman Ali Burdette (Buffalo, W.Va.) came in for the next two innings allowed two hits and one run. Pitching the final two innings was Tolbert who allowed two hits and three runs with two earned.
Lucas was rock solid once again at the hot corner contributing six assists in game two making some great plays. "Katy played extremely hard today and she will be that anchor on defense that we need," Coach Stanton said about her senior leader.
The Herd base runners combined for 18 stolen bases in the double header. Leading the way with six apiece were Zerkle and Greene. D'Orazio was next with five and Lucas added one more. "I thought we were exceptional on the base paths," Coach Stanton noted. "Our athletes did a great job wanting that extra 60 feet."
"Everyone chipped in and had a chance to play and we could mix up the lineups," Coach Stanton said after the two wins. "It continues to give our staff a chance to evaluate what we need to focus on as we close out fall ball and get into our eight hour weeks. As a staff we were just very pleased with the way the team came out and played today."
Marshall wraps up its fall ball season with a double header at Dot Hicks field Saturday Oct. 10, against Ohio Valley. First pitch is scheduled to start at 12 p.m.
