Marshall University Athletics
Marshall University
USF
@HerdSB Gets Two Big Wins to Open in Tampa
2/20/2015 12:00:00 AM | Softball
TAMPA, Fla. - The Marshall University softball team got two wins in its opening two games of the USF Wilson DeMarini Tournament in Tampa. The Herd beat Dartmouth 9-0 in six innings and hosts USF 6-4.
Marshall pitcher Jordan Dixon recorded the win in both games, helping to give Marshall its best one loss start ever at 10-1.
The Herd will play No. 16 Auburn tomorrow at 10 a.m. The teams will then be seeded and play at either 2:45 p.m. or 5 p.m. Due to game lengths, those times are approximate.
DARTMOUTH
Zerkle started the game with a run after reaching on a bunt single and advancing to second on a throwing error. She later came across on a wild pitch. Junior Katalin Lucas was then able to bring home junior Shaelynn Braxton with a single.
The Herd continued to methodically add runs in the second inning, when junior Kaelynn Greene hit an RBI single to bring senior Emileigh Cooper home. Zerkle then came around again on a sacrifice by freshman Elicia D'Orazio.
Greene was able to drive in another run in the top of the fourth inning, when she singled to score sophomore Rebecca Myslenski. Braxton then brought home Zerkle and Greene to make the score 7-0 to end the inning.
Braxton was not finished. In the top of the sixth, she sent a towering shot to left-center for a two-run home run, her first of the season.
Dixon had another commanding performance in the circle, with just one hit allowed in five innings of work. She threw seven strikeouts and allowed just one walk. She combined with Junior Brittanie Fowler for the shutout.
USF
The first inning again belonged to Zerkle. After reaching on a single, she stole second and moved to third on a passed ball. From there, Shaelynn Braxton was able to hit a high sacrifice fly to left-center that brought Zerkle home easily after the tag to give Marshall a 1-0 lead.
In the second, Kylie Howard bunted and got to first on a throwing error. The error brought home Cooper to make the score 2-0.
In the fourth, D'Orazio singled to score Cooper, who finished 4-4 with two runs. Later in the inning, Braxton hit a single that resulted in two RBI and Zerkle, who scored on a throwing error.
USF cut the lead to 6-4 late, but Marshall was able to stay strong and win the game.
STANTON'S STATEMENTS
Link to Head Coach Shonda Stanton's post game.
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