Marshall University Athletics
Marshall University
North Carolina
@HerdSB Falls at UNC in the Carolina Classic
2/26/2017 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Box Score (PDF)
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - The Marshall softball team lost in the final game of the Carolina Classic to UNC, 8-3, Sunday afternoon. The Thundering Herd fell to 9-4 overall and UNC improved to 10-4.
The long ball led the way for the Tar Heels offense hitting five home runs. Three solo shots and two, two-run homers. The Herd added a two-run home run by senior Morgan Zerkle in the fifth.
Junior Elicia D'Orazio led offensively for Marshall going 3-for-4 at the plate with one run, one RBI and two stolen bases. The Clermont, Fla., native leads the Herd with 22 hits and 18 steals for the year.
Senior Jordan Dixon got the start in the circle for Marshall and pitched into the fifth inning. Dixon allowed eight hits and seven runs, six earned and four strikeouts. Freshman Kailee Williamson finished the final innings and allowed three hits and one run.
D'Orazio and Zerkle were named to the Carolina Classic All-Tournament team. D'Orazio had six hits through the weekend with three runs, three RBIs and five stolen bases. Zerkle had five hits with five runs, five RBI's, two home runs and five stolen bases.
COACH QUOTES
Head Coach Shonda Stanton:
"We have to give credit to the Carolina hitters capitalizing on a number of pitches hung up in the zone. Elicia had a good day at the plate and Zerkle's blast got us back in the game. But, we have asked a lot out of Dixon in these weekends and she just was not able to keep the ball down in the zone today and they were able to extend the lead. Offensively we had some solid contact right at them and at times were too safe with our swings. It was nice to see Colliflower step up this weekend with her opportunities. Taking three of four on the road is a positive weekend and we have one more preseason tournament to sharpen up before our home opener."
UP NEXT
Marshall heads south to Statesboro, Ga., for the final trip of the four-preseason tournaments. The Eagle Classic is hosted by Georgia Southern and runs from March 3-5. On Friday, March 3, the Herd will play against South Carolina State (9:30 a.m.) and Presbyterian (11:30 a.m.). Saturday, March 4, the opponents are Eastern Kentucky (11:30 a.m.) and the host school Georgia Southern (3:30 p.m.). On the final day, Marshall will take on Delaware State (9:30 a.m.).
