Marshall University Athletics
Marshall University
Providence
@HerdSB Splits on Final Day at Orange Blossom Invite
2/19/2017 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Game One Box Score (PDF)
Game Two Box Score (PDF)
ORLANDO, Fla. ââ'¬" The Marshall softball team finished the Orange Blossom Invitational with a 3-1 record for the weekend and improved to 6-3 overall. The Thundering Herd lost the first game to LIU Brooklyn, 5-4, and then defeated Providence in the nightcap, 5-2.
Game One: LIU Brooklyn 5, Marshall 4
The first game of the day for the Herd was a constant battle back and forth throughout the contest. Both teams came up with big plays when it was needed the most, but in the end, the Blackbirds got the walk-off in the bottom of the seventh.
Marshall scored first as junior Taylor McCord belted her third home run of the season with a solo shot to left. LIU tied the game at 1-1 in the bottom of the second. With two runners on base and just one out, the rain came down and the game was delayed for 23 minutes.
Once the players got back on the field, the Blackbirds had a chance to take the lead with bases loaded and still just one out. The Herd got out of the jam with a 1-2-5 double play. Senior pitcher Jordan Dixon fielded a grounder in the circle, tossed to the plate to McCord for the force out at home, and then McCord fired down to Shaelynn Braxton at third as the LIU base runner stepped just briefly off the base and was tagged out.
Marshall took the lead back in the top of the third inning after Morgan Zerkle drove a pitch into center field that scored Elicia D'Orazio. D'Orazio reached on a single to center and then stole second and third to get into scoring position. The Herd led 2-1.
LIU tied the game for the second time in the bottom of the third. Before moving on to the fourth inning, there was a 12-minute delay as the infield needed to be dragged after the rain had finished moving through the area.
In the fourth, Marshall took the lead for the third time adding two runs and moving the score to 4-2. Juniors Madi Marshall and Eloise Tribolet crossed the plate. D'Orazio drove in Marshall from third and Tribolet took advantage of an error at third to come home and give the Herd a two-run lead.
LIU tied the game for the third time in the bottom of the inning as two more Blackbirds crossed home. Through the fifth and the sixth, both teams had opportunities but could not drive in a run. The Thundering Herd put two runners on board in the top of the seventh, but LIU got out of the inning with tough plays on defense.
The game ended with the first batter in the bottom of the seventh as Victoria Zamora hit a walk-off home run to left field.
COACH QUOTES
Head Coach Shonda Stanton
"In game one versus LIU we made some uncharacteristic mistakes that kept (LIU) in it with the chance for a walk-off. We gave up too many freebies on both sides of the ball. We were pleased to see our team respond in game two right from the start."
Game Two: Marshall 5, Providence 2
Marshall did get started right from the beginning in game two, offensively and defensively. Sophomore Ali Burdette got the start in the circle and retired the side in the first in just 10 pitches. Burdette allowed the leadoff batter to reach on a single to right field, but just one pitch later, she was caught stealing at second as Taylor McCord tossed out another base runner.
On the offensive side, Elicia D'Orazio got the Herd going with an infield single and her 13th stolen base of the season. Morgan Zerkle joined D'Orazio on the base path and stole second to put both runners in scoring position. D'Orazio came home on a RBI single to left by Shaelynn Braxton. Daiss then drove in Zerkle. Marshall led 2-0.
The Thundering Herd put up a third run in the second inning. Junior Jordan Colliflower led off the inning with her first double of the year and then came home as D'Orazio drove her in with an infield single.
Marshall took a 5-0 lead in the fifth. D'Orazio once again got the offense going with her third hit of the game. Zerkle recorded her second hit and then both eventually scored again. McCord drove in D'Orazio with her team leading 10th RBI of the season. Next, Braxton brought Zerkle home. For Braxton it was her 144th career RBI passing Samantha Rodriguez (2005-08) for second all-time. Rachel Folden (2005-08) is Marshall's career leader with 196.
Providence showed fight as the Friars scored two in the top of the sixth off a two-run home run by Julianne Rurka. Freshman Kailee Williamson entered the circle for Marshall, and closed out the rest of the game allowing just two hits and retiring five batters. Burdette earned her first win of the season.
Elicia D'Orazio was named the Dot Hicks Significant Sticker Award winner going 3-for-3 at the plate, scoring two runs, one RBI and a stolen base. D'Orazio made several plays on the defensive side of the ball with four putouts and two assists.
COACH QUOTES
Head Coach Shonda Stanton
"For the weekend, McCord was outstanding and she and Dixon are working really well together. It was nice to get both KK (Kailee Williamson) and Burdette wins. Elicia (D'Orazio) has stepped up in the leadoff position and Tribolet made some great catches in the outfield. Estrada has developed her game and has settled in the starting rotation. Overall many positives to build from as we head home with a welcome extra day of rest."
UP NEXT
Marshall hits the road again to head to Chapel Hill, N.C., for the Carolina Classic hosted at UNC. The tournament takes place Feb. 24-26 as the Herd will take on Miami (OH), Hampton, Towson and UNC.
