Marshall University Athletics
Marshall University
Florida International
Herd Softball Splits with FIU in Friday Doubleheader
3/30/2018 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Game One Box Score (PDF)
Game Two Box Score (PDF)
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. - The Marshall softball team split with the FIU Panthers in a Friday doubleheader from Dot Hicks Field. The Thundering Herd came back to take game one, 10-9, and fell in game two, 10-2.
Marshall is 15-17-1 overall and 6-4-1 in Conference USA. The Panthers are 17-20 and 3-5 in conference.
Game One: Marshall 10, FIU 9
Marshall led by five and then had to come back as senior Jordan Colliflower drove in sophomore Blakely Burch for the walk-off win in the seventh.
"Our grit to come back after they tied it up and went ahead was impressive," Herd head coach Jen Steele said. "We didn't do that nine days ago at Florida Gulf Coast in game one."
The Herd offense jumped out to a quick start scoring two runs in the first. Seniors Elicia D'Orazio and Colliflower both scored on an RBI single by freshman Aly Harrell. D'Orazio also stole her 151st career base in the first inning.
Marshall added three more in the third when junior Briana Daiss belted a three-run home run to center. For Daiss, it was her first homer of the season and 16th of her career. The Herd led 5-0.
The FIU offense began to find its rhythm in the fifth scoring three runs and cutting the lead to two. The Panthers scored three more in the sixth to take a one-run lead, 6-5. Marshall took back the lead in the bottom of the sixth as seniors Eloise Tribolet and D'Orazio scored on an error by the catcher.
The Panthers did not quit as FIU scored three in the top of the seventh and led 9-8.
The Marshall offense kept up the fight as well. Freshman Grayson Radcliffe led off the inning with a walk and then Burch was hit by a pitch. A wild pitch moved both runners into scoring position. Senior Madi Marshall stepped up and grounded out to second as Radcliffe scored to tie the game.
Freshman Katie Adams walked and then D'Orazio was intentionally walked to load the bases. Colliflower then drove a pitch into the dirt for a high-hopper that allowed Burch to score on the infield single.
Colliflower finished the game 3-for-3 at the plate with two runs, one stolen base and the game-winning RBI. D'Orazio also had three hits and scored two runs along with one stolen base. Sophomore Kailee Williamson got the win as she pitched the final inning.
Game Two: FIU 10, Marshall 2
Marshall led 2-0 going into the sixth inning when FIU broke through offensively and scored nine runs. The Panthers added one more insurance run in the seventh to push the lead to eight and ultimately win game two.
"Success is fleeting and it leaves you the second you think you've grasped it," coach Steele said.
Sophomore Blakely Burch hit her first career triple in the second inning and then scored on a sacrifice fly from freshman Samantha Koehn. The Herd's second run came in the third as McCord drove in D'Orazio.
Williamson took the loss in game two.
Colliflower increased her hitting streak to 15 games with a single in the sixth. D'Orazio is on a seven game hitting streak and now has 229 career hits, just three away from passing Carrie Hinkle (1994-97) for sixth all-time. McCord is now tied with Karri Britt (2000-03) with 55 career runners caught stealing as McCord threw out a Panther runner in the first inning.
Marshall and FIU finish the three-game series on Saturday at Dot Hicks Field with first pitch scheduled for 12 p.m.
For all of the latest information on the Marshall Softball team, follow the Herd on Twitter @HerdSB, Facebook at Marshall University Softball and on www.herdzone.com.
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