Marshall University Athletics
@HerdSB Prepares for Doubleheader with Saint Francis
3/28/2016 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Game Notes
Game One: | Live Stream
Game Two: | Live Stream
Live Audio
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. - After a weekend off, Marshall softball prepares for its final home, non-conference doubleheader of the season with the Saint Francis Red Flash Tuesday. First pitch is set for 2 p.m.
The Herd (18-12, 5-1) is coming off its off weekend in Conference USA action. This past week Marshall played a home doubleheader with the Ohio Bobcats (March 22) and the Radford Highlanders (March 23). The Herd split both matchups. Against Ohio, Marshall took game one 8-0 in six innings as junior Jordan Dixon (Edmond, Okla.) pitched her first career no-hitter. The Herd then fell in game two, 7-0. Against Radford, the Highlanders won game one 5-0 and then the Herd came back in game two with an 8-3 win. Marshall exploded for 14 hits and three home runs from three seniors. Kaelynn Greene (Eastvale, Calif.) hit her first career home run with an inside-the-park shot to right center. Next Katalin Lucas (Agua Dulce, Calif.) cranked her first of the season to left and then one inning later Raquel Escareno (Wellington, Colo.) sent her fourth of the year to left as well.
The Series...
Marshall and SFU have only met three times over Marshall's history. The Herd has won all three. The first matchup came March 25, 1994 at the Winthrop Invitational in Rock Hill, S.C. Marshall won the game 9-4. The Herd next played the Red Flash March 23, 1996 again at the Winthrop Invitational with Marshall winning 8-1. The last times these two teams got together was March 20, 2004 at the Virginia Tech Tournament in Blacksburg, Va. Marshall won in a slugfest 8-7. The Herd recorded 11 hits including home runs by Allison Webb (2001-04) and Courtney Kacenga (2003-06).
Stealing the Next 60 Feet
Marshall is once again leading the country in stolen bases per game at 3.33. Missouri is second with 3.21 per game. The Herd has finished ranked in the top 10 in the country more times than any other program since Coach Stanton took over in 2000. The Herd is looking to finish in the top 10 for the 10th time since 2000 and to lead the country for the third time (2011 & 2015). Marshall is led by senior Kaelynn Greene with 33, who is also second in the country at 1.10 thefts per game. Sophomore Elicia D'Orazio is second with 21. There have only been three games this season in which Marshall has not recorded at least one stolen base. The Herd swiped 19 in a doubleheader win over Toledo (3/15) with nine in game one and 10 in game two.
A First While Becoming First All-Time
Junior Jordan Dixon pitched her first career No-Hitter against the Ohio Bobcats March 22nd. With the win, Dixon became Marshall's all-time leader in career wins with her 66th. She moved ahead of Marshall Athletics Hall of Famer Cristy Waring (1995-98) and future Hall of Famer Andi Williamson (2011-13) who were both tied with 65. Dixon now has 67 wins and continues to set new marks with every win.
The 700 Ks Club
Against Radford (3/23) Dixon reached another career milestone in recording her 700th career strikeout. She is only the third pitcher in Marshall history to reach 700 in a career joining Marshall Athletics Hall of Famer Sara Gulla (1998-2001) with 727 and future Hall of Famer Andi Williamson with 731. Dixon currently has 704 and needs just another 28 to become Marshall's all-time strikeout leader.
Stealing at a Record Pace
Kaelynn Greene over the past 17 games has recorded 25 of her team leading 33 steals at a pace of 1.47 per game. She had a 6-game streak with at least 2 steals from 3/4 - 3/12 and then added a program record 5 in a game against Toledo. Greene is the first player in Herd history with three seasons of 30 or more stolen bases in her career. She is currently 7 swipes away from tying Sierra Davenport (2001-04) at the top of the charts at 130.
Elicia D'Orazio has also been swiping bases at an incredible pace with 18 thefts in the past 15 games. A rate of 1.2 per game. She has had 5 multi-steal games over the span and has put her career total to 45 in just her second season.
