Marshall University Athletics
Herd Softball Takes on Charlotte in Conference USA Series
4/13/2018 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Marshall Game Notes
Live Stats: |
Live Video: Game 1 | Game 2
Marshall Audio Broadcast
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. - The Marshall softball team continues its seven-game homestand as the Charlotte 49ers come to Dot Hicks Field Saturday and Sunday for a three-game Conference USA series.
The Saturday doubleheader was originally scheduled to begin at 1 p.m., but with the threat of inclement weather later in the day, first pitch has been moved up to 10 a.m. Game two will begin about 30 minutes after the conclusion of game one. The series finale is still set for Sunday at 12 p.m.
Fans can tune in on ESPN3 all weekend long for the C-USA east division series. The games will also be available through 88.1 WMUL-FM and online at www.marshall.edu/wmul through one of the Listen Live links on the right-hand side of the page.
Saturday will be Marshall's Cancer Awareness Game as the players will be wearing special pink jerseys. There will be a silent auction for the player's individual jerseys with proceeds going to designated local cancer research foundations.
Nineteen members of the softball team were named to the Conference USA Commissioner's Honor Roll list this week. The Commissioner's Honor Roll recognizes athletes from all teams that have an overall GPA of 3.0 or better.
Last Time Out: Morehead State
Marshall struggled offensively in the first game of the doubleheader as the Herd managed just two runs coming from a two-run home run by Aly Harrell in the seventh. Jordan Colliflower recorded three of Marshall's six hits. Game two, the Herd bounced back with a 3-0 win. Kailee Williamson had a career day. Williamson pitched two shutout innings in game one and then threw a complete-game shutout in game two. It was her first career shutout and finished with a career-high eight strikeouts. Between the two games, Williamson finished with a 0.00 ERA in nine innings with 11 strikeouts, just one walk and scattered seven hits. The Herd scored all three runs in the second inning as freshmen Katie Adams and Grayson Radcliffe drove in the runs. Radcliffe had a two-run double. Colliflower increased her hitting streak to 23 games as she was 1-of-3 in game two.
The Series: 22 meetings, Charlotte leads 12-10
The series between these two schools dates back to a doubleheader on Feb. 18, 1996 in Charlotte. Marshall won both of those contests but it has been a tough road since against the 49ers. Charlotte went 12-5 against Marshall from 1997-2016. The Herd is 5-7 against Charlotte since both teams have been a part of Conference USA in 2014. Marshall was swept at home in 2016, the first ever home games for the Herd versus the 49ers. For the third time in four years, Marshall returned to Charlotte in 2017 and this time swept the 49ers, the first series win for the Herd. In game one, the Herd scored three runs in the final two innings to complete the come from behind victory, 3-2. Jordan Colliflower scored the go-ahead run in the seventh. The Herd dominated in game two with five extra base hits and won 8-4. In the series finale, Jordan Dixon allowed just one hit as the Herd batters exploded for six runs in the sixth and won 8-0. Abigail Estrada belted a grand slam for the final exclamation point in the win.
Scouting the 49ers
Charlotte has struggled in 2017 finishing the early season 6-11 and just 5-10 in Conference USA. The 49ers kicked off conference action taking 2-of-3 from North Texas but have lost all three series since, including getting swept by Louisiana Tech this past weekend (April 7-8). Charlotte won its last two games, 3-2 over Duke on Tuesday and 7-3 against Western Carolina on Wednesday. The team is hitting .265 this season but has been outscored 188-113. Senior Haley Pace leads the way with a .368 average, 46 hits, 19 runs, five home runs and 24 RBI. Senior Bailey Rhoney is the only other player hitting over .300 (.306). Junior Meredith Harris leads with 13 combined extra base hits (11 doubles and two triples). Senior Haley Wiseman has been the main arm in the circle again with 151.1 innings pitched out of 262.1 total for the staff. Wiseman has 160 strikeouts, a 2.82 ERA and a 9-15 record. She has given up 84 runs but only 61 have been earned. Sophomore Allison Green has the second most innings with 47.1, a 3.99 ERA and a 1-6 record. The 49ers have committed 18 more errors than its opponents (51 to 33) with a .953 fielding percentage.
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.
To follow all Thundering Herd sports and get live stats, schedules, and free live audio, download the Marshall Athletics App for iOS or Android!
