Marshall University Athletics
Marshall University
Bethune Cookman
@HerdSB Sweeps Day One in Orlando
2/18/2017 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Game One Box Score (PDF)
Game Two Box Score (PDF)
ORLANDO - The Marshall softball team grabbed a day one sweep at the Orange Blossom Invitational at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando. The Thundering Herd (5-2) defeated the Delaware Blue Hens (0-6) 5-2 in game one. Then used the long ball to record a 10-2, run-rule victory over Bethune Cookman (1-6) in the nightcap.
Game One: Marshall 5, Delaware 2
Senior pitcher Jordan Dixon went the distance for the third time this season as the ace held Delaware to just two runs on five hits. Dixon struck out eight in her fourth win of the season.
Marshall got the scoring started in the first as senior Morgan Zerkle ripped her first double of the season into left field, then came in to score two batters later after a single up the middle by junior Taylor McCord.
The Herd took a two-run lead in the top of the second. Sophomore Abigail Estrada sent a single into center and then advanced to third one batter later on an errant throw by the third baseman. Junior Jordan Colliflower was in to pinch run at first and the Herd pulled off a double-steal as Estrada scored and Colliflower reached second. Marshall led 2-0.
The Blue Hens tied the game with two runs in the bottom of the second off a two RBI single by Emily Neal. The Herd ended the inning as Dixon struck out the next batter, stranding Neal at first.
Marshall took back the lead in the third as McCord ripped a double into right center. Daiss came up next and drove in McCord with a double to right center.
In the fourth, Marshall regained a two-run lead. Estrada led off the inning with her first career double to left center. Two batters later, Estrada stole third and then scored on a failed fielder's choice attempt. Delaware tried to get Estrada out at home as junior Eloise Tribolet bounced a pitch to second. Estrada scored before the throw came made it home.
The final run for the Herd came in the sixth when senior Shaelynn Braxton blasted her first home run of the season over the left field fence. For Braxton, the solo shot was the 28th of her career, breaking the fifth place tie with Leigh Wintter (2003-06) and Alianna Telles (2009-12). It was also her 142nd career RBI, putting Braxton in a tie for third all-time with Amanda Williams (2003-06).
Dixon and the Marshall defense held the Blue Hens scoreless after the second and only allowed four base runners over the final five innings.
Sophomore Abigail Estrada was named the Dot Hicks Significant Sticker Award winner for game one after going 2-for-3 at the plate with her first career double, scoring two runs and stealing two bases.
The Dot Hicks Significant Sticker is given to the player who provides the most significant impact in helping the Herd win.
COACH'S QUOTES
Head Coach Shonda Stanton
"It is nice when you hand Dixon the game ball, as a coaching staff when that comfort and ease that she is going to keep us in the ball game even if the offense starts slowly. Our offense did not start slowly today but it really helps to settle the defense."
"We had an opportunity to plate some more runs early but we made a couple base running mistakes early. It was nice to see the players putting the ball in play. Estrada really stepped up. It was great for her to get the extra base hits and build some confidence."
"Shae really laid into the pitch she saw and it is always fun to watch an athlete go yard like that. We took some positives from that game. Wish we would have put it away early but the win was good."
Game Two: Marshall 10, Bethune Cookman 2 (6 innings)
Freshman pitcher Kailee Williamson earned her first career win and Taylor McCord hit a three-run home run to give Marshall the 10-2, run-rule victory.
Williamson pitched four and one-third innings allowing six hits and two runs. The Herd had a 4-2 lead when senior pitcher Jordan Dixon entered the ball game and closed out the final one and two-thirds innings.
Offensively the Herd recorded 12 hits as Elicia D'Orazio (3-for-4), McCord (2-for-4) and Briana Daiss (2-for-3) all had multiple hits.
Marshall got the scoring started in the first inning as McCord drove in D'Orazio with a single to center.
The Thundering Herd added two more in the second. Freshman Elizabeth DeShields recorded her first career hit and then was substituted on the bases by Jordan Colliflower. Colliflower stole second and then Eloise Tribolet joined Colliflower on the bases after dropping down a bunt-single. After Tribolet stole second with Colliflower at third, D'Orazio came back to the plate and drove a ground ball up the middle into center. Colliflower and Tribolet both scored. Marshall led 3-0.
The Wildcats cut the lead down to one in the top of the third taking advantage of two Marshall errors.
The Herd scored one more run in both the fourth and the fifth innings, then exploded for five runs in the sixth to end the game one inning early.
Morgan Zerkle drove in Tribolet and D'Orazio to build the lead out to five, 7-2. Zerkle moved into scoring position as Shaelynn Braxton reached first on an error at second. With two runners on, McCord, with a 3-1 count, took the fifth pitch of the at-bat over the fence in left center for her second home run of the season.
McCord was named the Dot Hicks Significant Sticker Award winner after going 2-for-4 with four RBIs, the three-run home run and picking off her fifth base runner in just seven games.
COACH'S QUOTES
Head Coach Shonda Stanton
"It was great for KK (Kailee Williamson) to get her first win. McCord hit the ball hard all day. So it was great for us to finish strong and put the game away with the home run. I felt that our base running was better. Elicia is doing a great job at the top of the lineup."
"Obviously if you throw and play catch well, you will play well. We booted the ball around a bit in the third inning. It was nice to get some sudden change and see the team respond and not get rattled."
"The challenge during these weekends when you are playing four and five games in a weekend, sometimes you let the game get away from you roll through seven innings. I would like to see our team do a better job of staying in the moment and staying singularly focused. If we continue to get better at that then we are going to see even better results.
UP NEXT
Marshall will finish up the Orange Blossom Invitational Saturday afternoon. All of the games in the tournament have been moved up one hour due to the threat of rain in the afternoon. Marshall will take the field first at 2:15 p.m. against LIU Brooklyn and then finish the day with a meeting with the Providence Friars at 4:30 p.m. All of Marshall's action will be broadcast on 88.1 WMUL-FM and online at www.marshall.edu/wmul.
SOCIAL MEDIA
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