Marshall University Athletics
@HerdSB Lands Six on All-Conference Teams
5/11/2016 12:00:00 AM | Softball
IRVING, Texas - Six Marshall softball players were named to All-Conference teams, the Conference USA office announced Wednesday. Three players were honored as First Team members.
Senior Kaelynn Greene (Eastvale, Calif.), junior Morgan Zerkle (Milton, W.Va.) and sophomore Taylor McCord were named First Team All-Conference. Junior Jordan Dixon (Edmond, Okla.) was named All-Conference Second Team. Briana Daiss (Clermont, Fla.) and Samantha Loose (Anaheim Hills, Calif.) were honored on the All-Freshman Team.
It was the second time for both Greene and Zerkle on the First Team.
"KG (Greene) and Z (Zerkle) are incredible athletes," Herd Coach Shonda Stanton said. "As a coach it is a joy to watch them come to the plate. They are such a threat and put an incredible amount of pressure on the defense.
"It is great to see KG get this honor as a senior. She has worked so hard and had such a great year and stepped up when we really needed her."
Greene established several records for Marshall in her final season for the Green and White. She became the Herd's all-time career leader in hits (296), stolen bases (141) and sacrifice bunts (38). Greene set the single game record with five stolen bases against the Toledo Rockets at home (March 15). She also became the first player in team history to record three seasons of 70 or more hits, three seasons of 30 or more steals and two seasons with 80 or more hits. She has been among the nation's leaders in stolen bases and batting average for most of the year.
Zerkle was leading the Herd in hits, average and stolen bases before going down with a mid-season injury. She missed 22 games and came back firing recording hits in 11 of the 12 games since her return. The junior ended the regular season hitting .491 with 52 hits and 27 stolen bases. She also became the fastest player in Herd history to reach 200 career hits in just her 137th game.
"Watching Zerkle work to come back from her injury showed what type of competitor she is," Coach Stanton said. "Aaron (Mangum) our athletic trainer and our medical staff did an amazing job and she has been great in her return."
McCord broke the Herd record for the most potential base stealers thrown out with 21 in 2016. She picked off another five runners including two against #14 Tennessee. The sophomore catcher set career highs hitting .313 with 47 hits, nine doubles and 33 RBI. She belted the first home run of her career in the bottom of the seventh inning against Alabama State to tie the game and send it to extra innings when the Herd pulled out the win.
"McCord has been tremendous behind the plate and offensively for us this year," Coach Stanton said. "She stepped up this year and has been a major threat with her arm as well as her bat."
Dixon was honored as an All-Conference performer for the third straight season. The junior hurler became Marshall's all-time leader in career wins (75) and strikeouts (812). She became the first pitcher in team history with three seasons of 20 or more wins and 200 or more strikeouts.
"Dixon is an impact pitcher that can really make a difference in the circle," Coach Stanton said of her ace. "Whether getting the start or coming into the game in a tight situation she is a key piece to have for the success of this team."
Daiss and Loose have both played big roles for the Herd in their rookie campaigns. Daiss became the first player in Herd history to hit a walk-off home run in her very first collegiate at-bat. Daiss was inserted to pinch hit in the season opener against Alabama State in the eighth inning with the game tied at 2-2 with a runner on first. She sent the outside pitch over the right field wall. Her incredible day continued with five RBI in the second game against Troy. Daiss also hit the go-ahead home run in the eighth inning as the Herd pulled out the victory. The first baseman led the Herd with nine doubles, three triples, nine home runs and 43 RBI.
"Daiss has been amazing with her bat this year," Coach Stanton said. "From the opening weekend to her grand slam against Arizona and other extra base hits at big moments she has been great for us this year and it is always fun to have such a powerful hitter in the middle of the lineup. She can change the game at any moment."
Loose started the majority of the season at second base for Marshall and brings a great attitude to the field. She finished the regular season with 24 hits and seven doubles. Defensively she made great plays all season long from the right side.
"Loose has been great on the right side of the infield this year," Coach Stanton said. "She made some key plays for us defensively and came through with some clutch hits to keep the offense rolling."
Marshall will play the first game of the C-USA Tournament Wednesday at 1 p.m. eastern time from Denton, Texas.
