Marshall University Athletics
Wednesday, March 3
Huntington, W.Va.
12:30 PM
Marshall University
vs
University of Akron
Softball Opens 2021 Season at Home vs. Akron
3/2/2021 5:02:00 PM | Softball
Doubleheader begins Wednesday at 12:30 p.m.
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – The Marshall softball team finally gets to begin its 2021 season on Wednesday against old Mid-American Conference foe the Akron Zips. First pitch of the doubleheader from Dot Hicks Field is set for 12:30 p.m.
Due to COVID 19 protocols, infield seating is reserved, and unavailable to the general public this season. However, we welcome our fans to arrive early to cheer on MUSB from the outfield, where spectators may view games as space allows.
Marshall unfortunately had to cancel its first two tournaments of the season due to a pause in activities. The Zips have also had games canceled. Akron comes in at 1-1, and has had seven canceled.
Game Details
Live Stats: SIDEARM
Live Stream: free through Herdvision/CUSAtv Game 1 | Game 2
Marshall Radio: 88.1 WMUL-FM and online www.marshall.edu/wmul
Series History: 35 all-time meetings, Akron leads 18-17
Last Meeting: March 4, 2020 – Marshall won both games, 8-3 and 8-0, in a doubleheader in Huntington.
Head coach Megan Smith Lyon returns a very talented lineup in her third season. Marshall was picked to finish second in the east division in Conference USA. The offensive lineup that led the nation in 2020 in home runs per game (1.92) comes back nearly intact. The only player who hit a home run for the Herd in 2020 that is not back in the lineup is departed senior Haleigh Christopher who hit six. Marshall has 42-of-48 homers smashed back for 2021.
Junior Mya Stevenson led the team and tied for the NCAA lead with 12 home runs. Graduate Sierra Huerta, who was able to come back for another season, was second on the team with nine and senior Saige Pye cranked out eight in her first year at Marshall. All three players were named to the Conference USA All-Preseason Team as voted on by the league's coaches.
Senior Aly Harrell was named the 2021 Conference USA Preseason Player of the Year. Harrell, who finished fifth on the team with five home runs, bat .441 a year ago and led the team with 23 walks and an on base percentage of .602. Since 2019, no one in the NCAA has been issued more free passes to first base from a walk or hit-by-pitch, than Harrell. The Gahanna, Ohio native combined for 114 free passes (91 walks and 23 hit-by-pitches) in 89 games, with Bailey Hemphill of Alabama as the next closest player with 86.
Along with the bats, Marshall returns a solid defense with playmakers at every position, and a pitching staff that is bringing back 16-of-18 wins from 2020. Senior Laney Jones finished last season with an 8-2 record and 61 strikeouts. Jones recorded four saves as well, tied for sixth in the NCAA, and tied a program record set back in 2004. Sophomore Ashley Blessin went 7-0 and tossed two shutouts. Senior Megan Stauffer and sophomore Delaney Heaberlin also spent time in the circle combining for 21 innings. The only pitcher not back for Marshall is departed senior Kailee Williamson who threw 22.1 innings in 2020.
Coach Smith Lyon has also gathered a talented group of newcomers that add depth and assistance. Newcomers to the Herd for the 2021 season include five freshmen and six transfers. The freshman class consists of pitcher Brianna McCown, catcher Kat Sackett, infielder Amaya Lee, and outfielders Kay Kay Kenney and Paige Halliwill. The transfers are pitchers Cailey Joyce (La Salle University) and Madi Garay (University of Louisiana), infielders Taylor Robinson (Gulf Coast State College), Camryn Michallas (Gulf Coast State College), and Madison Whitaker (Wright State), and outfielder Ellie Boteler (Detroit Mercy).
The Opponent
The Akron Zips have only been able to play a doubleheader against Delaware State on Feb. 26. The Zips split the day losing the first game 3-1 and then taking game two, 3-0. Molly McChesney is off to a great start as she was 5-of-6 (.833) in the doubleheader and 2-for-2 in stolen bases. Freshman pitcher Olivia Stefanoni pitched five innings in her first outing and struck out 11 batters while allowing just three hits and no runs. Sheridon Wilber, another freshman pitcher, pitched the complete game win earning the shutout while striking out three.
Head coach Meagan Pettipiece is in her second season after taking over in July of 2019. The Zips finished the shortened 2020 season with a 6-19 record.
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!
Due to COVID 19 protocols, infield seating is reserved, and unavailable to the general public this season. However, we welcome our fans to arrive early to cheer on MUSB from the outfield, where spectators may view games as space allows.
Marshall unfortunately had to cancel its first two tournaments of the season due to a pause in activities. The Zips have also had games canceled. Akron comes in at 1-1, and has had seven canceled.
Game Details
Live Stats: SIDEARM
Live Stream: free through Herdvision/CUSAtv Game 1 | Game 2
Marshall Radio: 88.1 WMUL-FM and online www.marshall.edu/wmul
Series History: 35 all-time meetings, Akron leads 18-17
Last Meeting: March 4, 2020 – Marshall won both games, 8-3 and 8-0, in a doubleheader in Huntington.
Head coach Megan Smith Lyon returns a very talented lineup in her third season. Marshall was picked to finish second in the east division in Conference USA. The offensive lineup that led the nation in 2020 in home runs per game (1.92) comes back nearly intact. The only player who hit a home run for the Herd in 2020 that is not back in the lineup is departed senior Haleigh Christopher who hit six. Marshall has 42-of-48 homers smashed back for 2021.
Junior Mya Stevenson led the team and tied for the NCAA lead with 12 home runs. Graduate Sierra Huerta, who was able to come back for another season, was second on the team with nine and senior Saige Pye cranked out eight in her first year at Marshall. All three players were named to the Conference USA All-Preseason Team as voted on by the league's coaches.
Senior Aly Harrell was named the 2021 Conference USA Preseason Player of the Year. Harrell, who finished fifth on the team with five home runs, bat .441 a year ago and led the team with 23 walks and an on base percentage of .602. Since 2019, no one in the NCAA has been issued more free passes to first base from a walk or hit-by-pitch, than Harrell. The Gahanna, Ohio native combined for 114 free passes (91 walks and 23 hit-by-pitches) in 89 games, with Bailey Hemphill of Alabama as the next closest player with 86.
Along with the bats, Marshall returns a solid defense with playmakers at every position, and a pitching staff that is bringing back 16-of-18 wins from 2020. Senior Laney Jones finished last season with an 8-2 record and 61 strikeouts. Jones recorded four saves as well, tied for sixth in the NCAA, and tied a program record set back in 2004. Sophomore Ashley Blessin went 7-0 and tossed two shutouts. Senior Megan Stauffer and sophomore Delaney Heaberlin also spent time in the circle combining for 21 innings. The only pitcher not back for Marshall is departed senior Kailee Williamson who threw 22.1 innings in 2020.
Coach Smith Lyon has also gathered a talented group of newcomers that add depth and assistance. Newcomers to the Herd for the 2021 season include five freshmen and six transfers. The freshman class consists of pitcher Brianna McCown, catcher Kat Sackett, infielder Amaya Lee, and outfielders Kay Kay Kenney and Paige Halliwill. The transfers are pitchers Cailey Joyce (La Salle University) and Madi Garay (University of Louisiana), infielders Taylor Robinson (Gulf Coast State College), Camryn Michallas (Gulf Coast State College), and Madison Whitaker (Wright State), and outfielder Ellie Boteler (Detroit Mercy).
The Opponent
The Akron Zips have only been able to play a doubleheader against Delaware State on Feb. 26. The Zips split the day losing the first game 3-1 and then taking game two, 3-0. Molly McChesney is off to a great start as she was 5-of-6 (.833) in the doubleheader and 2-for-2 in stolen bases. Freshman pitcher Olivia Stefanoni pitched five innings in her first outing and struck out 11 batters while allowing just three hits and no runs. Sheridon Wilber, another freshman pitcher, pitched the complete game win earning the shutout while striking out three.
Head coach Meagan Pettipiece is in her second season after taking over in July of 2019. The Zips finished the shortened 2020 season with a 6-19 record.
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!
---HerdZone.com---
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