Marshall University Athletics
Marshall University
Morehead State
Williamson has Career Day as Herd Softball Splits with Eagles
4/11/2018 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Game One Box Score (PDF)
Game Two Box Score (PDF)
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. - Sophomore pitcher Kailee Williamson sets career marks as the Marshall softball team split the midweek doubleheader with Morehead State, Wednesday at Dot Hicks Field. The Herd fell in game one, 3-2, but bounced back to take game two, 3-0.
The Thundering Herd is now 19-21-1 for the year and Morehead State is 19-11.
Williamson pitched two shutout innings with three strikeouts in game one. She then got the start in game two and pitched all seven innings for her first career shutout. The Norco, Calif., native struck out eight in the complete-game victory to break her previous career-best of seven. She finished the day with a 0.00 ERA in nine innings of work, seven hits, one walk and 11 strikeouts.
Game One: Morehead State 3, Marshall 2
The Herd had chances throughout the contest but just could push through as the Eagles won the first game. Freshman Aly Harrell hit a two-run blast in the bottom of the seventh to cut the deficit to one.
"We had a few chances but didn't capitalize until late with Harrell's big hit," Herd head coach Jen Steele said. "We have to do a better job executing earlier in games if we want to win."
Freshman Tatum Ksiazek got the start in the circle and allowed two runs in the first two innings while striking out two. Williamson entered the game, pitched the next two innings, and allowed just one hit with three strikeouts and no walks. Junior Ali Burdette came in the game in the fifth and pitched the final three innings, allowing one run on four hits. Burdette took the loss.
Senior Jordan Colliflower increased her hitting streak to 22 games while going 3-for-4 at the plate. With two outs, Colliflower got on base in the bottom of the seventh with a perfectly placed bunt single. Harrell stepped up next and sent the homer over the fence in center. Senior Taylor McCord drew a walk next and represented the tying run but Marshall could not generate anymore magic.
Game Two: Marshall 3, Morehead State 0
The Herd bounced back to take game three as Williamson finished off her career day taking care of the Eagle batters. Williamson scattered six hits, walked just one, and ended three innings with a strikeout including the top of the seventh with two runners on base.
"We got a really nice performance from KK (Williamson)," coach Steele said. "She got ahead of hitters and attacked the zone. We continue to take steps forward and are looking toward peaking at the right time."
Marshall scored all three of its runs in the second. McCord and sophomore Blakely Burch led off with back-to-back walks. Two batters later, freshman Katie Adams drove in McCord with a single to center. Freshman Grayson Radcliffe stepped up next and drilled a pitch to left-center for a two RBI double as both Burch and Adams crossed the plate.
Adams finished the day 2-of-3 with a run and an RBI while starting at catcher. Colliflower recorded a base hit in the third and moved her hitting streak to 23 games. D'Orazio did not record a hit in game one ending her 11-game hitting streak. However, she did reach base safely on a fielder's choice in game one and had a single to center in game two moving her on-base streak to 16-straight games.
Marshall returns to the field Saturday and Sunday, April 14-15, as the Charlotte 49ers come to Huntington for a three-game Conference USA series. The Saturday doubleheader begins at 1 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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