Marshall University Athletics
@HerdSB Gears Up For Five Game Week
3/18/2015 12:00:00 AM | Softball
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. - The Marshall softball team (18-6, 3-3) will have a busy week ahead, with five games against regional rival Ohio and Charlotte in Conference USA play.
Marshall will host the Bobcats at Dot Hicks Field on Thursday, with a double header at 2 p.m., before travelling to Charlotte for a Saturday doubleheader at 1 p.m. and a noon game Sunday.
SCOUTING THE BOBCATS
Marshall is 32-19-0 against Ohio, which is the most wins against any other school in program history.
The Bobcats are 5-15 coming into the week and played a double header against Wright State on Tuesday. The two programs played during the fall exhibition season, with Marshall getting the win, 9-7. Jodi Hermanek is in her seventh season as coach of the Bobcats.
Sloan Walker leads the Bobcats with a .371 average, among batters that have seen more than 50 plate appearances. The Bobcats pitch by committee, with seven pitchers seeing action this season. Kaylin Clarke leads in wins with a 3-2 record.
SCOUTING THE 49ERS
Charlotte has started the season 12-10 and is 1-2 in Conference USA. After dropping its opening game to Gardner-Webb, the 49ers won five consecutive games, including a sweep of its own First Pitch Classic. The series currently stands at 6-6.
Chelsea Lisikatos leads the team with five home runs and also is second in RBI with 13. Charlotte pitcher Lexi Betancourt has a 7-8 record, while Mackenzie Hauser is 4-2. Coach Aimee DeVos is in her 20th year with the program.
WALKOFF FOR COOPER
Senior Emileigh Cooper opened Dot Hicks Field for 2015 play with a bang, hitting a walk-off home run against Western Kentucky last Saturday in a 2-0 victory.
Cooper was the first batter when the game resumed after being halted on Friday. Cooper came back to the plate with one strike and two outs, with Rebecca Myslenski on base. The home run was Cooper's first of the season.
DIXON AND ZERKLE TOP C-USA STATS
Marshall's Jordan Dixon and Morgan Zerkle still continue to lead Conference USA in several categories. Dixon leads the Conference in wins, with 15, and strikeouts, with 160. Zerkle's batting average (.548) also is tops in C-USA. Zerkle's 28 stolen bases are the league high. Zerkle's 46 hits lead the league as well.
STANTON'S STATEMENTS
Coach Shonda Stanton on Ohio:
"Ohio has always been a quality opponent and it has been a good rivalry. They won the MAC last year. Their ace is out right now, but they can hit. They have an offense that can score runs, so against Ohio, we need to outhit them."
Coach Stanton on Charlotte:
"Ohio will be a great tune-up to go in against Charlotte. They've got a very good senior leader pitcher, who is good enough to beat anyone in conference. So we have to stick to the game plan there, but I like the matchup and feel very excited about going into the weekend."
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