Marshall University Athletics
Tampa Tournament on Tap for @HerdSB
2/18/2015 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Weekend Notes
TAMPA, Fla. - The Marshall University softball team will fly south to participate in its third regular season tournament at the University of South Florida this weekend. The team will face stiff competition, playing three teams that advanced to the NCAA Regionals in 2014. Marshall will also play its first ranked team of the season when it takes on No. 16 Auburn.
The tournament starts on Friday, Feb. 20 against Dartmouth at 12:15 p.m. Marshall will then play USF Friday at 5 p.m. On Saturday, Marshall will play Auburn at 10 a.m. and then play a to-be announced seeded game later in the day at either 2:45 p.m. or 5 p.m. On Sunday, the Herd will play a championship or consolation game at 9 a.m. or 11:30 a.m. For updated scheduling info, check Herdzone.com following Saturday's games.
IMPRESSIVE OUTINGS
Marshall has had several student athletes start strong this season. Five players are hitting above a .300 average, including .650 by sophomore Morgan Zerkle (Milton, W.Va.) and .550 by senior Emileigh Cooper (Jackson, Ohio). Junors Kaelynn Greene (.357) and Katalin Lucas (.333) are also above the .300 mark.
Zerkle and sophomore pitcher Jordan Dixon (Edmond, Okla.) have been named Conference USA Players of the Week this season. Dixon is 7-1 with 80 total strikeouts this season. Zerkle has already scored 16 runs and has 21 hits in 32 at-bats.
DARTMOUTH
Dartmouth will actually start its season at the DeMarini Tournament. Last season the Big Green went 31-19 on the season and 18-2 in the Ivy League. The team advanced to the NCAA Regionals in 2014. Marshall is 2-0 all-time against Dartmouth.
USF
USF advanced to the Regionals as well last season, before being eliminated by Florida Stat . The Bulls went 43-17 overall and 27-12 at home. Marshall is 0-10 all-time in the series. Head Coach Ken Eriksen is the coach of the USA Softball team, as well as the Bulls.
No. 16 AUBURN
Auburn has started the season very hot in two tournaments at home. The Tigers are 12-0 this season. The team went 42-19-1 last season, also advancing to the NCAA Regionals. Marshall is 0-5 all-time against Auburn.
STANTON'S STATEMENTS
"These past few weekends were about gaining experience and confidence and getting a few wins under our belt, then stepping up the level of competition. The field is going to be very strong. You look at Dartmouth, they have a pitcher of the year that returns, they were an NCAA participant. They've got a new coach so they are working hard for her. I coached her in the pro league, so it will be nice to see Shannon Doepking."
"When you look at Auburn, it's a top 25 program. Clint Myers won a national championship out at ASU. He's got this team clicking on all cylinders. They've not really been challenged early, but they're putting up runs."
"Then you've got a program like South Florida. Ken Eriksen works with USA softball and you look at all he's done for the national team and so you're talking about a coach who is very knowledgeable and his teams are always ready to play and they're talented athletes. So we are ready to get down to warmer weather and play ball."
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