Marshall University Athletics
Marshall University
Furman
@HerdSB 2-0 After Second Extra Inning Win
2/10/2017 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Box Score (PDF)
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - The Marshall softball team (2-0) pulled off another extra-inning comeback to defeat the Furman Paladines (0-2) 5-4. Herd trailed 3-0 after three innings, tied the game at three in the fifth, and then scored two runs in the top of the eighth inning for the win.
Senior pitcher Jordan Dixon picked up her second win after entering the game in the third inning once Furman took the 3-0 lead. Freshman Kailee Williamson got the start, pitched two innings, and then was relieved by sophomore Ali Burdette. Burdette picked up one out and walked two batters in the third inning. Dixon entered and recorded two outs to get out of the inning with bases loaded.
The Herd had three hits in the first three innings and could not find the timely hit. In the fourth Marshall finally got on the board as junior Taylor McCord led off the inning with a single to left. Two batters later, sophomore Hayden Ellis brought McCord home with a single down the left field line.
Marshall scored two more runs in the fifth to tie the game at three. Junior Elicia D'Orazio ripped a triple to center field and then used excellent base running to allow senior Morgan Zerkle to reach first base safely. Zerkle grounded a pitch back to the circle, but D'Orazio had just enough of a lead to grab the pitcher's attention and then dived back safely as Zerkle reached first. Senior Shaelynn Braxton drove in D'Orazio and then Zerkle scored on a sac fly to center off the bat of McCord.
The teams battled through the sixth and seventh as both put runners on in each inning but could not bring anyone across the plate.
The Herd moved on to the eighth inning for the second time Friday. Sophomore Briana Daiss led off the eighth with a first-pitch double to right field. Ellis then smacked a RBI double to left as Daiss scored to give Marshall the lead. Two batters later, Ellis scored from third on a sacrifice bunt by junior Madi Marshall.
The Paladins fought back in the bottom of the eighth scoring a run as the first three batters all reached base safely. With runners at first and second and no outs, Dixon and the defense held strong as the Herd recorded three straight outs to record the win.
Taylor McCord was awarded the Dot Hicks Significant Sticker for her performance in game one defensively and with the game-tying home run in the bottom of the sixth. Jordan Dixon was the recipient of the Dot Hicks Significant Sticker for game two with seven clutch strikeouts across five and two-thirds innings. The Dot Hicks Significant Sticker is awarded to the player who makes the most significant impact in helping the Herd win.
COACH'S CORNER
Head Coach Shonda Stanton
"Our athletes showed resiliency all day coming from behind to win two extra inning ball games. We emphasize not playing to the scoreboard and that we are never winning or losing until we do. I thought we did a great job of playing singularly focused and staying the course until the final out. Dixon competed tonight after a long day and McCord picked off two more runners in key situations."
UNCONQUERED INVITATIONAL
For the first day of the Unconquered Invitational, both Marshall and host school No. 3/4 Florida State are 2-0 while Lipscomb and Furman are 0-2. Lipscomb and Furman will meet on the field for the first game Saturday and then Marshall will take on FSU at 1:30 p.m. Tournament play begins after the second game as seeds one and four will play at 4 p.m., and seeds two and three play at 6:30 p.m.
All of Marshall's games will be broadcast on 88.1 WMUL-FM and online at www.marshall.edu/wmul through one of the "Listen Live" links. The Herd's games against Florida State will not be featured on Facebook Live.
For all of the latest information about Marshall softball, follow @HerdSB on Twitter and Marshall University Softball on Facebook.
---HerdZone.com---
