Marshall University Athletics
@HerdSB Lands Three Players Named NFCA All-Region
5/19/2016 12:00:00 AM | Softball
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Three Marshall softball players were honored as NFCA All-Region members Thursday announced by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association. Outfielders Kaelynn Greene (Eastvale, Calif.) and Morgan Zerkle (Milton, W.Va.) were named to the Mideast All-Region first team and pitcher Jordan Dixon (Edmond, Okla.) was named to the second team.
"Zerkle and KG (Greene) are two of the top slappers and outfielders in the country," Herd assistant coach Kendall Fearn said. "To have them both in the outfield together and one and two in our lineup has been instrumental to our team.
For Greene it was her third time being honored but her first selection to the first team. The senior set career highs in her final season hitting .486 with 86 hits (both second most in Herd history), 41 runs scored and a Herd single season record 51 stolen bases. Greene hit an inside-the-park home run at home against Radford for her first career homer. She became Marshall's all-time career leader in hits (299), stolen bases (141), sacrifice hits (38) and stolen base attempts (169). Her career .410 batting average is second in team history.
"KG has a near perfect touch on her short game causing teams to bring an outfielder into the infield to match her speed," Coach Fearn said. "It's going to be hard to replace such a special player as she stole 51 bases this season."
Zerkle was honored for the third consecutive season and it is her second appearance on the first team. The junior missed 22 games in 2016 due to an ankle injury but still put up tremendous numbers. In just 34 games Zerkle hit .482, 54 hits, 28 runs, 28 stolen bases, three doubles, two triples and two home runs. She hit a double in just her second plate appearance after coming back from injury off of FAU's Kylee Hanson. Even with the missed time, the speedster from Milton was named to the Top 25 Finalist list for Collegiate Player of the Year.
"Zerkle continues to develop her game to new heights," Coach Fearn said. "As a junior she was a triple threat. She overcame the adversity of an injury midseason and worked hard with our Athletic Trainer Aaron Mangum to get back on the field and staying a positive leader to the leader.
"Our staff anticipates her being a strong senior leader on and off the field next year."
Dixon was the steady force once again in the circle for the Herd. It was her second time named All-Region. The junior hurler became the first player in Herd history to have three seasons of 200 or more strikeouts and 20 or more wins. She finished with 23 wins, 268 strikeouts in 268.1 innings. Dixon became the Herd's all-time leader in wins (76) and strikeouts (821). She broke the wins record throwing a no-hitter against Ohio at home March 22.
"Dixon had a record breaking season in her junior campaign," Herd pitching coach Chanda Bell said. "She proved early on in the season that she can compete against some of the top offensive lineups in the country.
"I am excited to see her work hard in this offseason and come back strong and take this team further into post season in her senior year."
Marshall finished with 30 wins for the 11th time under Coach Shonda Stanton. It was the second consecutive season that the Herd offense hit over .300 and the eighth straight season with over 100 stolen bases.
