Marshall University Athletics
Marshall University
Campbell
@HerdSB Falls to Campbell 4-3
3/6/2016 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Box Score
BUIES CREEK, N.C. - Marshall softball fell in the final game of the Camel Stampede to the host school Campbell University 4-3. Marshall finished the weekend 3-2 and is now 9-8 overall.
The Herd had the lead at 3-1 going into the bottom of the seventh. Campbell (7-8) won the game with a 3-run walk-off home run.
"When you take a two-run lead into the bottom of the seventh you need to be able to finish a game," Herd Coach Shonda Stanton said. "A physical error, a mental error and a missed pitch cost us the game.
"It goes back to being tougher mentally and being able to compete every pitch of a seven inning ball game."
Campbell scored first in the bottom of the second inning to take the 1-0. Marshall answered in the top of the third with two runs and forcing a pitching change. With junior Morgan Zerkle (Milton, W.Va.) and senior Kaelynn Greene (Eastvale, Calif.) on base, freshman Briana Daiss (Clermont, Fla.) stepped up and sent a hard line drive off the wall in left center field. Zerkle scored and Greene advanced to third.
After the hit by Daiss the Camels made a pitching change and the next two batters for Marshall were walked. Sophomore Taylor McCord (Gilbert, Ariz.) loaded the bases with her base-on-balls and then senior Raquel Escareno (Wellington, Colo.) was walked and that brought in Greene from third.
The Marshall offense was then shut down until scoring one more in the top of the seventh.
"Our offense has too many strengths to be that weak that we displayed at the plate today," Coach Stanton said.
Junior pitcher Jordan Dixon (Edmond, Okla.) and the defense continued to get out of each inning after allowing the lone run in the second. Dixon struck out four and senior Katalin Lucas (Agua Dulce, Calif.) made the plays in the bottom of the sixth to get out of a jam. With a runner at first Lucas fielded a grounder and tossed to freshman Samantha Loose (Anaheim Hills, Calif.) at second to retire the lead runner. Two batters later with runners at first and second Lucas fielded another grounder, quickly stepped on third for the force out and then fired across the diamond to Daiss to complete the double play.
Marshall extended the lead to two runs as sophomore Elicia D'Orazio (Clermont, Fla.), who was at third, took advantage of a wild pitch and crossed the plate.
However, the Camels came back in the bottom of the seventh with two runners on and two outs to hit a walk-off home run over the left center field wall to take the victory.
The focus now for Marshall moves to Conference USA action with UTEP coming to Dot Hicks Field March 12-13.
"The preseason is behind us and now we need to gear up for C-USA play and our home opener," Coach Stanton said.
The Miners come to Huntington for a double header Saturday March 12 with first pitch scheduled for 1 p.m. and then a single game Sunday set for 12 p.m. The three game series with UTEP is the first part of a six-game home stand after spending the first four weeks on the road.
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