Marshall University Athletics
Marshall University
Lipscomb
@HerdSB Steals Win over Lipscomb in the 8th
2/10/2017 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Box Score (PDF)
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - In a game that featured a pitching battle, the Marshall softball team (1-0) grabbed a win in the season opener, 2-1, in the bottom of the eighth against the Lipscomb Bison (0-1).
The Herd trailed 1-0 going into the bottom of the sixth when junior Taylor McCord launched a solo home run to deep left field and tied the game. Marshall then received great base-running from junior Elicia D'Orazio in the bottom of the eighth for the win. Senior Jordan Dixon was dominant in the circle with 11 strikeouts and allowed just five hits for the complete game win.
Lipscomb scored one run in the top of the second and held on defensively until the eighth inning, twice stranding runners in scoring position.
Marshall recorded five hits through the first five innings including loading the bases in the third inning. Senior Morgan Zerkle reached first with her second hit of the day. D'Orazio followed up with an infield single, beating out the throw from short. With two aboard, senior Shaelynn Braxton poked a shot over the shortstop's head for a single. The Herd was unable to find that timely hit.
In the bottom of the sixth, McCord, who was previously 0-for-2 at the plate, delivered an 0-2 pitch over the fence in left to tie the game. McCord did the same one year ago in Marshall's first game of the season with a solo shot over the left field wall against Alabama State in the bottom of the seventh to tie the game at 1-1 and send it to extra innings.
In the bottom of the seventh Marshall had an opportunity as junior Eloise Tribolet recorded her first hit in a Marshall uniform with a bunt-single. Tribolet used her speed to outrun the throw from the catcher, and then advanced to second after the throw hit Tribolet in the back and then rolled away into foul territory. The Lipscomb defense, led by sophomore pitcher Mandy Jordan, got out of another jam as Zerkle flew out to left to end the inning.
Lipscomb began the eighth with a lead-off single. McCord proceeded to record her first pick-off of 2017 as two pitches later she threw down to first with D'Orazio covering for the out. Dixon recorded her 11th strikeout of the game and then Zerkle scooped up the final out of the inning with a throw to freshman Briana Daiss at first.
D'Orazio led off the bottom of the eighth with another infield single and then stole second to move into scoring position. Next, Braxton moved D'Orazio to third with a ground-out to second base. With McCord at the plate, Marshall looked to attempt a squeeze-play. McCord just missed the pitch that was low-and-away, and D'Orazio was caught halfway between third and home. The Clermont, Fla., native was in a run-down but then turned for home as the catcher threw to third, and just slid under the tag of the catcher at home. It was her second stolen base of the game for the game-winning run.
COACH'S QUOTES
Head Softball Coach Shonda Stanton
"We had a few opportunities early where the line-up gave us exactly what we wanted and did not step up at the plate and produce the runs. First game of the season, so our hitters will learn from that and be better with our execution the next time just as McCord adjusted for the solo shot to tie the game."
"Our pitching and defense gave us a chance to win the ball game with Dixon getting the big Ks, McCord and Elicia (D'Orazio) picking off a runner and the defensive unit making plays as a whole."
"Then to get the walk-off winner. Elicia is a playmaker and will do whatever it takes to help our team succeed, even in a busted play."
UP NEXT
The Herd will take the field again Friday evening at 6:30 p.m. against the Furman Paladins. The Unconquered Invitational continues Saturday as Marshall takes on No. 3/4 Florida State at 1:30 p.m.
