Marshall University Athletics
Saturday, March 6
Huntington, W.Va.
11:30 AM
Marshall University
4-0
9
vs
1
Valparaiso University
2-6
1
2
3
4
5
6
R
H
E
Valparaiso
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
5
2
Marshall
2
0
1
1
0
5
9
12
1
Photo by: Adam Gue
Softball Earns Two more Wins on Great Pitching
3/6/2021 8:24:00 PM | Softball
Garay and Jones each with complete-game victories
Box Score (PDF): Valparaiso | Saint Francis
Postgame Interviews: Head Coach Megan Smith Lyon | Laney Jones | Madi Garay
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HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – The Marshall softball team improves to 5-0 after two more wins on day two of the Thundering Herd Round Robin. Marshall defeated Valparaiso, 9-1, in the first game and then the Saint Francis Red Flash, 2-0, in the second on Saturday at Dot Hicks Field.
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The Thundering Herd received two outstanding pitching performances, first from redshirt freshman Madi Garay against Valpo and then senior Laney Jones versus the Red Flash. The Marshall offense also slugged another five home runs for the day, bringing the season total to 11.
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"Overall it was a really strong day for us," Herd head coach Megan Smith Lyon said. "Really pleased with both of our pitching performances today, I think that was kind of the story of the day. Madi Garay getting her first outing and I felt that she came out really strong and was poised. I was really excited to see her with the command that she had and her pitches as she kept (Valpo) off balance. She handled their lineup really well. It was really nice to see her so confident in her first outing.
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"Then Laney (Jones) came out in the second game against a really powerful Saint Francis team and I think she had a really stellar performance. To give up only two hits to that type of an offense, that's big. I felt like she pitched fearlessly today and I think that you have to do that when you're facing good teams. She was out there confident, went right at them, never backed down, had a couple situations that were sticky but was confident and attacked their hitters."
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Game One: Marshall 9, Valparaiso 1 (6 innings)
Behind Garay's great day in the circle, the Marshall offense finally pounded out some runs late to end the game early in the sixth inning.
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The day of slugging home runs got started early as junior Mya Stevenson smashed her first home run of the season, and 33rd of her career, in the first inning. The two-run shot gave Marshall the early lead and moved Stevenson into sole possession of third place on the Herd's all-time home run list, surpassing Samantha Rodriguez (2005-08).
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Marshall added another run in the bottom of the third when senior Aly Harrell went deep to left for the second time this season. The solo shot was the 32nd of her career as Harrell is now tied with Rodriguez for fourth all-time in Thundering Herd history. Marshall led, 3-0.
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The third home run of the game, and another solo blast, gave the Herd a 4-0 lead in the fourth as senior Grace Chelemen hit her second homer of the year and third of her career. The big blast went to straight-away centerfield.
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Garay and the Herd defense continued to keep Valpo off the scoreboard until the top of the sixth, as Valparaiso managed to score one run. However, Garay ended four innings in the contest with a strikeout that also stranded runners on base, including two times with the bases loaded. The fourth and final of those coming in the sixth to knock down Valpo's momentum. It was Garay's seventh strikeout of the contest.
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The Marshall offense took the excitement of the previous out and carried it over into the bottom of the sixth. Graduate Sierra Huerta led off the inning with an infield single. Chelemen then reached on a bunt that she outran to first for a base hit. Redshirt senior Blakely Burch drove home Huerta with a single to left that put the score at 5-1.
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Two batters later, freshman Paige Halliwill came through with a triple that plated both Chelemen and Burch. Marshall now led 7-1. With Harrell at the plate, Valparaiso attempted to pick off Halliwill at third and ended up throwing the ball into left field. Halliwill quickly hopped back up and scored the Herd's eighth run of the game. On the next pitch, Harrell recorded her third hit of the game with a single up the middle that brought on a pitching change.
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After the change in the circle, senior Saige Pye kept the inning moving with a single to center. Two batters later senior Katie Adams walked to load the bases. Huerta, who started the inning, returned to the plate but never got to finish her at-bat. The first pitch ended up in the backstop and Harrell scored from third to end the game with the run-rule victory.
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Garay, in earning her first career win, allowed five hits and just the one run while striking out seven. Harrell's three hits led the Herd while Pye and Chelemen had two each. Halliwill and Stevenson both had two RBI.
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Game Two: Marshall 2, Saint Francis 0
In a much tighter contest, the Herd relied on the pitching of Laney Jones, the defense and two solo home runs to earn its fifth win of the year. The Red Flash managed to get just six total runners on base during the contest, and never more than one in an inning.
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The Herd defense took away one Saint Francis base-runner in the second with a relay from the fence in right-center. Jordan Frank hit a shot into the gap that Paige Halliwill ran down and fired back for senior Madison Whitaker who then turned and rifled a throw to Blakely Burch at third for the tag as Frank was attempting to go for a triple. Jones then ended the second inning with her second strikeout of the game.
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The contest was scoreless until Halliwill smashed her team-leading third home run of the season with a solo shot to left-center. To begin her career, Halliwill has six hits with five going for extra bases and is slugging 1.125 after Saturday.
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With the 1-0 lead, Jones and the Herd defense continued to make the plays to take chances away from the Red Flash, who came into the game with a 9-1 record.
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Marshall added its second and final run of the game in the bottom of the sixth, with its fifth homer of the day as senior Katie Adams launched one to the parking lot down the right field line. The solo home run was her first of the season and fourth of her career. Adams is the seventh different player to hit one out of the park for Marshall in just five games to start the year.
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Jones and the defense finished the game, retiring the side in the top of the seventh in just 11 pitches.
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Jones finished the game with seven strikeouts, and allowed just two hits in picking up the shutout victory. All four pitchers who have thrown for Marshall have a seven strikeout performance this year. Sophomore Ashley Blessin opened the season with seven strikeouts against Akron. Freshman Brianna McCown tallied seven against Bowling Green on Friday and then both Garay and Jones sat down seven hitters each on Saturday.
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On offense, Marshall managed just six hits. Halliwill had two to lead the team.
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The Herd will finish the Thundering Herd Round Robin on Sunday at Dot Hicks Field. The final day of the tournament begins with Valparaiso and Saint Francis first at 9:30 a.m., then continues as Marshall plays against Saint Francis (11:30 am.) and then Valparaiso (1:30 p.m.). Both of the Herd's games will be streamed on HerdVision/CUSAtv as well as broadcast on 88.1 WMUL-FM and online at www.marshall.edu/wmul.
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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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To follow all Thundering Herd sports and get live stats, schedules, and free live audio, download the Marshall Athletics App for iOS or Android!
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Postgame Interviews: Head Coach Megan Smith Lyon | Laney Jones | Madi Garay
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HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – The Marshall softball team improves to 5-0 after two more wins on day two of the Thundering Herd Round Robin. Marshall defeated Valparaiso, 9-1, in the first game and then the Saint Francis Red Flash, 2-0, in the second on Saturday at Dot Hicks Field.
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The Thundering Herd received two outstanding pitching performances, first from redshirt freshman Madi Garay against Valpo and then senior Laney Jones versus the Red Flash. The Marshall offense also slugged another five home runs for the day, bringing the season total to 11.
Â
"Overall it was a really strong day for us," Herd head coach Megan Smith Lyon said. "Really pleased with both of our pitching performances today, I think that was kind of the story of the day. Madi Garay getting her first outing and I felt that she came out really strong and was poised. I was really excited to see her with the command that she had and her pitches as she kept (Valpo) off balance. She handled their lineup really well. It was really nice to see her so confident in her first outing.
Â
"Then Laney (Jones) came out in the second game against a really powerful Saint Francis team and I think she had a really stellar performance. To give up only two hits to that type of an offense, that's big. I felt like she pitched fearlessly today and I think that you have to do that when you're facing good teams. She was out there confident, went right at them, never backed down, had a couple situations that were sticky but was confident and attacked their hitters."
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Game One: Marshall 9, Valparaiso 1 (6 innings)
Behind Garay's great day in the circle, the Marshall offense finally pounded out some runs late to end the game early in the sixth inning.
Â
The day of slugging home runs got started early as junior Mya Stevenson smashed her first home run of the season, and 33rd of her career, in the first inning. The two-run shot gave Marshall the early lead and moved Stevenson into sole possession of third place on the Herd's all-time home run list, surpassing Samantha Rodriguez (2005-08).
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Marshall added another run in the bottom of the third when senior Aly Harrell went deep to left for the second time this season. The solo shot was the 32nd of her career as Harrell is now tied with Rodriguez for fourth all-time in Thundering Herd history. Marshall led, 3-0.
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The third home run of the game, and another solo blast, gave the Herd a 4-0 lead in the fourth as senior Grace Chelemen hit her second homer of the year and third of her career. The big blast went to straight-away centerfield.
Â
Garay and the Herd defense continued to keep Valpo off the scoreboard until the top of the sixth, as Valparaiso managed to score one run. However, Garay ended four innings in the contest with a strikeout that also stranded runners on base, including two times with the bases loaded. The fourth and final of those coming in the sixth to knock down Valpo's momentum. It was Garay's seventh strikeout of the contest.
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The Marshall offense took the excitement of the previous out and carried it over into the bottom of the sixth. Graduate Sierra Huerta led off the inning with an infield single. Chelemen then reached on a bunt that she outran to first for a base hit. Redshirt senior Blakely Burch drove home Huerta with a single to left that put the score at 5-1.
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Two batters later, freshman Paige Halliwill came through with a triple that plated both Chelemen and Burch. Marshall now led 7-1. With Harrell at the plate, Valparaiso attempted to pick off Halliwill at third and ended up throwing the ball into left field. Halliwill quickly hopped back up and scored the Herd's eighth run of the game. On the next pitch, Harrell recorded her third hit of the game with a single up the middle that brought on a pitching change.
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After the change in the circle, senior Saige Pye kept the inning moving with a single to center. Two batters later senior Katie Adams walked to load the bases. Huerta, who started the inning, returned to the plate but never got to finish her at-bat. The first pitch ended up in the backstop and Harrell scored from third to end the game with the run-rule victory.
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Garay, in earning her first career win, allowed five hits and just the one run while striking out seven. Harrell's three hits led the Herd while Pye and Chelemen had two each. Halliwill and Stevenson both had two RBI.
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Game Two: Marshall 2, Saint Francis 0
In a much tighter contest, the Herd relied on the pitching of Laney Jones, the defense and two solo home runs to earn its fifth win of the year. The Red Flash managed to get just six total runners on base during the contest, and never more than one in an inning.
Â
The Herd defense took away one Saint Francis base-runner in the second with a relay from the fence in right-center. Jordan Frank hit a shot into the gap that Paige Halliwill ran down and fired back for senior Madison Whitaker who then turned and rifled a throw to Blakely Burch at third for the tag as Frank was attempting to go for a triple. Jones then ended the second inning with her second strikeout of the game.
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The contest was scoreless until Halliwill smashed her team-leading third home run of the season with a solo shot to left-center. To begin her career, Halliwill has six hits with five going for extra bases and is slugging 1.125 after Saturday.
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With the 1-0 lead, Jones and the Herd defense continued to make the plays to take chances away from the Red Flash, who came into the game with a 9-1 record.
Â
Marshall added its second and final run of the game in the bottom of the sixth, with its fifth homer of the day as senior Katie Adams launched one to the parking lot down the right field line. The solo home run was her first of the season and fourth of her career. Adams is the seventh different player to hit one out of the park for Marshall in just five games to start the year.
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Jones and the defense finished the game, retiring the side in the top of the seventh in just 11 pitches.
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Jones finished the game with seven strikeouts, and allowed just two hits in picking up the shutout victory. All four pitchers who have thrown for Marshall have a seven strikeout performance this year. Sophomore Ashley Blessin opened the season with seven strikeouts against Akron. Freshman Brianna McCown tallied seven against Bowling Green on Friday and then both Garay and Jones sat down seven hitters each on Saturday.
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On offense, Marshall managed just six hits. Halliwill had two to lead the team.
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The Herd will finish the Thundering Herd Round Robin on Sunday at Dot Hicks Field. The final day of the tournament begins with Valparaiso and Saint Francis first at 9:30 a.m., then continues as Marshall plays against Saint Francis (11:30 am.) and then Valparaiso (1:30 p.m.). Both of the Herd's games will be streamed on HerdVision/CUSAtv as well as broadcast on 88.1 WMUL-FM and online at www.marshall.edu/wmul.
Â
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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To follow all Thundering Herd sports and get live stats, schedules, and free live audio, download the Marshall Athletics App for iOS or Android!
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---HerdZone.com---
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Garay, Madi (1-0)
L: Seib, Easton (0-3)
Batting:
2B: Herschbach, Taylor 1
RBI: Anderson, Brittany 1
SH: Hecker, Regi 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Milkowski, Ryan 1
HBP: Milkowski, Ryan 1
Batting:
3B: Halliwill, Paige 1
HR: Harrell, Aly 1 ; Stevenson, Mya 1 ; Chelemen, Grace 1
RBI: Halliwill, Paige 2 ; Harrell, Aly 1 ; Stevenson, Mya 2 ; Chelemen, Grace 1 ; Burch, Blakely 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Halliwill, Paige 1 ; Harrell, Aly 2 ; Pye, Saige 1 ; Stevenson, Mya 1 ; Huerta, Sierra 1 ; Chelemen, Grace 2 ; Burch, Blakely 1
Game Leaders
AB
4
R
2
H
3
RBI
1
AB
3
R
2
H
2
RBI
1
AB
4
R
1
H
1
RBI
2
Players Mentioned
C
/ Softball
P
/ Softball
INF
/ Softball
OF
/ Softball
P
/ SoftballOF
/ Softball
INF
/ Softball
INF
/ Softball
P
/ Softball
P
/ Softball
P
/ Softball
INF
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