Marshall University Athletics
Saturday, April 17
Huntington, W.Va.
1:00 PM
Marshall University
13-8, 2-4
9
vs
11
Florida Atlantic University
9-24, 4-6
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
R
H
E
Florida Atlantic
0
5
4
1
0
1
0
11
14
0
Marshall
3
2
2
2
0
0
0
9
7
1
Photo by: Adam Gue
Harrell Hits Walkoff as Softball Splits on Senior Day
4/17/2021 9:25:00 PM | Softball
Harrell with four hits and four RBI in game two win
Box Scores (PDF) Game One | Game Two
Aly Harrell Postgame Comments
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Marshall softball senior Aly Harrell delivered a walkoff double in the bottom of the ninth of game two that gave the Herd the split in the Saturday doubleheader against the Florida Atlantic Owls at Dot Hicks Field.
The Herd fell in game one, 11-9, but received several late game heroics for the 8-7 win in game two. The final game of the series is scheduled for Sunday with first pitch at 11:30 a.m. The game will be streamed on CUSAtv as well as broadcast through Marshall radio on 88.1 WMUL-FM and online at www.marshall.edu/wmul.
The Thundering Herd is now 14-8 overall and 3-4 in Conference USA. The Owls moved to 8-26 overall and 4-7 in C-USA play.
"It feels good to know that I can have my team's back, just like how they have my back," Harrell said. "We were actually able to go to extras because Saige (Pye) had my back to tie it up, so it feels good to be able to help my team in any way I could."
Game One: Florida Atlantic 11, Marshall 9
The day began with Marshall honoring its Class of 2021 of Sierra Huerta, Megan Stauffer, Laney Jones and Blakely Burch. Following the pregame festivities, and a quick pitcher's duel on Friday, the two teams slugged it out in game one on Saturday combining for 20 runs, 21 hits, six home runs and the game lasted just over two and a half hours.
Marshall got the scoring started with three runs in the first. The Herd began the game with three-straight walks as Huerta, junior Grace Chelemen and Harrell were all issued free passes. Senior Saige Pye then came through with a single to right that scored both Huerta and Chelemen. After an Owls pitching change, senior Katie Adams grounded out to second that allowed Harrell to score.
The slugfest then began as FAU scored five runs in the top of the second including a two-run home run. The Herd responded in the bottom of the second with two runs to tie the game at 5-5. Huerta smacked her fifth home run of the season out to left. It was the 23rd of her career as Huerta moves into a tie for 11th all-time at Marshall with Alysia Hively (2010-13).
The Owls regained the lead in the third with four more runs, as well as FAU's second home run of the game. The Herd cut the four-run deficit down to two, 9-7, as junior Mya Stevenson and freshman Kat Sackett hit back-to-back homers. It was Sackett's fourth home run of the season and the fifth of the year for Stevenson. Stevenson also broke her tie with Harrell, hitting the 37th of her career, second all-time in team history.
Florida Atlantic added one more run with the Owls' third home run of the game in the fourth. Marshall now trailed by three, 10-7, however in the bottom of the frame Harrell drove in Huerta for one run and then Pye scored Chelemen to cut the deficit down to one again, 10-9. Florida Atlantic scored one more run in the sixth as Marshall could not find the timely hit to get back into the contest.
Sophomore Ashley Blessin had the start in the circle and lasted into the second inning. Stauffer then entered the contest, but was pulled in the third for freshman Brianna McCown. Jones pitched the final 3.2 innings. Stauffer was credited with the loss, her first of the season.
Pye was the only Herd batter with more than one hit as she was 2-of-4, and drove in three runs. Huerta had one hit and was walked twice, scored three runs and drove in two with the home run. Chelemen had one hit, one walk and scored two runs.
Game Two: Marshall 8, Florida Atlantic 7 (9 innings)
It was another long contest at two hours and 45 minutes, as neither team backed down in the nightcap. The game featured clutch hitting, mixed with great defense and great pitching, as well as a shattered windshield.
Florida Atlantic got the scoring started with a solo home run in the top of the second. Following the homer, Blakely Burch made a leaping grab at third base taking away a hit and ending the inning. Marshall then immediately responded as Mya Stevenson led off the bottom of the second with a solo home run, her sixth of the season and 38th of her career.
Redshirt sophomore pitcher Cailey Joyce rebounded from allowing the home run in the second and shut down the Owls over the next three innings.
The Herd extended its lead to two runs, 3-1, as Aly Harrell belted a two run homer to right-center that ended up going right through the back windshield of a car in the outfield parking lot. For Harrell, it was her team-leading seventh blast of the season and 37th of her career. One behind Stevenson on the all-time charts as Stevenson now sits in second and Harrell is third.
Marshall scored two more runs in the fifth to build the lead to four, 5-1. Huerta got the offense rolling with her first of two more walks in the game. Junior Chloe Lee then came in to pinch run at first. Lee used her speed to score all the way from first on a double to left-center from Harrell. Harrell then scored from second on a double to right-center from Saige Pye. It was Pye's second double of the game as she also ripped one in the third inning.
The Owls bounced back with three runs in the top of the sixth. Joyce finished off the inning and kept Marshall in the lead by one, 5-4.
After Marshall was retired in order in the bottom of the sixth, Laney Jones entered the circle for the seventh inning. FAU scored three runs to take a two-run lead at 7-5. The Herd needed to find some late inning magic to try and get the split.
With one out, Huerta was walked for the second time in the game and sixth time in the series. Junior Rachel Pennington then came in to run for Huerta at first. Next, with a 1-1 count, Chelemen ripped a single to center that moved Pennington to second. Harrell then popped out to the shortstop for the second out. Marshall was down to its last out, with the tying run at first, and Pye coming to the plate. For Pye it was déjà vu all over again as she hit her third-straight double to the fence in right-center scoring both Pennington and Chelemen to tie the game at 7-7. Pye tied a team record with her third double in the game joining Deanna Tourville (2005-08), who did it last on April 16, 2005, and Marshall Hall of Famer Nichole Corrigan who accomplished the feat first on May 5, 2000.
The game then moved to extra innings and neither team managed a base-runner in the eighth inning. After allowing the three runs in the top of the seventh, Jones settled in and retired the last eight-straight batters, including another 1-2-3 inning in the top of the ninth against the heart of the Owls lineup.
Freshman Paige Halliwill led off the bottom of the ninth with a hit-by-pitch right off her left knee. Halliwll stayed in the contest and was ready to run at first. FAU retired the next two batters which brought Harrell to the plate. With a 1-1 count, Harrell drove an outside pitch to the gap in left-center that sent Halliwill flying around the bases, beating the throw home for the walkoff winner.
In the circle, Joyce pitched the first six innings and struck out four. Jones pitched the final three innings and earned the win, her fifth of the year.
Harrell finished game two 4-of-5 at the plate with four RBI. She totaled five runs driven in for the doubleheader which gave her 125 in her career. Harrell moved ahead of former teammate Taylor McCord (2015-18) for seventh all-time in team history.
Pye, tying the team record with three doubles in the game, also drove in three runs giving her a total of six between the two contests. Chelemen rebounded at the plate going 3-of-5 and scoring twice. Stevenson finished with two hits as well. The Herd recorded 12 hits, all coming from Chelemen, Harrell, Pye and Stevenson, the two through five spots in the lineup.
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!
Aly Harrell Postgame Comments
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Marshall softball senior Aly Harrell delivered a walkoff double in the bottom of the ninth of game two that gave the Herd the split in the Saturday doubleheader against the Florida Atlantic Owls at Dot Hicks Field.
The Herd fell in game one, 11-9, but received several late game heroics for the 8-7 win in game two. The final game of the series is scheduled for Sunday with first pitch at 11:30 a.m. The game will be streamed on CUSAtv as well as broadcast through Marshall radio on 88.1 WMUL-FM and online at www.marshall.edu/wmul.
The Thundering Herd is now 14-8 overall and 3-4 in Conference USA. The Owls moved to 8-26 overall and 4-7 in C-USA play.
"It feels good to know that I can have my team's back, just like how they have my back," Harrell said. "We were actually able to go to extras because Saige (Pye) had my back to tie it up, so it feels good to be able to help my team in any way I could."
Game One: Florida Atlantic 11, Marshall 9
The day began with Marshall honoring its Class of 2021 of Sierra Huerta, Megan Stauffer, Laney Jones and Blakely Burch. Following the pregame festivities, and a quick pitcher's duel on Friday, the two teams slugged it out in game one on Saturday combining for 20 runs, 21 hits, six home runs and the game lasted just over two and a half hours.
Marshall got the scoring started with three runs in the first. The Herd began the game with three-straight walks as Huerta, junior Grace Chelemen and Harrell were all issued free passes. Senior Saige Pye then came through with a single to right that scored both Huerta and Chelemen. After an Owls pitching change, senior Katie Adams grounded out to second that allowed Harrell to score.
The slugfest then began as FAU scored five runs in the top of the second including a two-run home run. The Herd responded in the bottom of the second with two runs to tie the game at 5-5. Huerta smacked her fifth home run of the season out to left. It was the 23rd of her career as Huerta moves into a tie for 11th all-time at Marshall with Alysia Hively (2010-13).
The Owls regained the lead in the third with four more runs, as well as FAU's second home run of the game. The Herd cut the four-run deficit down to two, 9-7, as junior Mya Stevenson and freshman Kat Sackett hit back-to-back homers. It was Sackett's fourth home run of the season and the fifth of the year for Stevenson. Stevenson also broke her tie with Harrell, hitting the 37th of her career, second all-time in team history.
Florida Atlantic added one more run with the Owls' third home run of the game in the fourth. Marshall now trailed by three, 10-7, however in the bottom of the frame Harrell drove in Huerta for one run and then Pye scored Chelemen to cut the deficit down to one again, 10-9. Florida Atlantic scored one more run in the sixth as Marshall could not find the timely hit to get back into the contest.
Sophomore Ashley Blessin had the start in the circle and lasted into the second inning. Stauffer then entered the contest, but was pulled in the third for freshman Brianna McCown. Jones pitched the final 3.2 innings. Stauffer was credited with the loss, her first of the season.
Pye was the only Herd batter with more than one hit as she was 2-of-4, and drove in three runs. Huerta had one hit and was walked twice, scored three runs and drove in two with the home run. Chelemen had one hit, one walk and scored two runs.
Game Two: Marshall 8, Florida Atlantic 7 (9 innings)
It was another long contest at two hours and 45 minutes, as neither team backed down in the nightcap. The game featured clutch hitting, mixed with great defense and great pitching, as well as a shattered windshield.
Florida Atlantic got the scoring started with a solo home run in the top of the second. Following the homer, Blakely Burch made a leaping grab at third base taking away a hit and ending the inning. Marshall then immediately responded as Mya Stevenson led off the bottom of the second with a solo home run, her sixth of the season and 38th of her career.
Redshirt sophomore pitcher Cailey Joyce rebounded from allowing the home run in the second and shut down the Owls over the next three innings.
The Herd extended its lead to two runs, 3-1, as Aly Harrell belted a two run homer to right-center that ended up going right through the back windshield of a car in the outfield parking lot. For Harrell, it was her team-leading seventh blast of the season and 37th of her career. One behind Stevenson on the all-time charts as Stevenson now sits in second and Harrell is third.
Marshall scored two more runs in the fifth to build the lead to four, 5-1. Huerta got the offense rolling with her first of two more walks in the game. Junior Chloe Lee then came in to pinch run at first. Lee used her speed to score all the way from first on a double to left-center from Harrell. Harrell then scored from second on a double to right-center from Saige Pye. It was Pye's second double of the game as she also ripped one in the third inning.
The Owls bounced back with three runs in the top of the sixth. Joyce finished off the inning and kept Marshall in the lead by one, 5-4.
After Marshall was retired in order in the bottom of the sixth, Laney Jones entered the circle for the seventh inning. FAU scored three runs to take a two-run lead at 7-5. The Herd needed to find some late inning magic to try and get the split.
With one out, Huerta was walked for the second time in the game and sixth time in the series. Junior Rachel Pennington then came in to run for Huerta at first. Next, with a 1-1 count, Chelemen ripped a single to center that moved Pennington to second. Harrell then popped out to the shortstop for the second out. Marshall was down to its last out, with the tying run at first, and Pye coming to the plate. For Pye it was déjà vu all over again as she hit her third-straight double to the fence in right-center scoring both Pennington and Chelemen to tie the game at 7-7. Pye tied a team record with her third double in the game joining Deanna Tourville (2005-08), who did it last on April 16, 2005, and Marshall Hall of Famer Nichole Corrigan who accomplished the feat first on May 5, 2000.
The game then moved to extra innings and neither team managed a base-runner in the eighth inning. After allowing the three runs in the top of the seventh, Jones settled in and retired the last eight-straight batters, including another 1-2-3 inning in the top of the ninth against the heart of the Owls lineup.
Freshman Paige Halliwill led off the bottom of the ninth with a hit-by-pitch right off her left knee. Halliwll stayed in the contest and was ready to run at first. FAU retired the next two batters which brought Harrell to the plate. With a 1-1 count, Harrell drove an outside pitch to the gap in left-center that sent Halliwill flying around the bases, beating the throw home for the walkoff winner.
In the circle, Joyce pitched the first six innings and struck out four. Jones pitched the final three innings and earned the win, her fifth of the year.
Harrell finished game two 4-of-5 at the plate with four RBI. She totaled five runs driven in for the doubleheader which gave her 125 in her career. Harrell moved ahead of former teammate Taylor McCord (2015-18) for seventh all-time in team history.
Pye, tying the team record with three doubles in the game, also drove in three runs giving her a total of six between the two contests. Chelemen rebounded at the plate going 3-of-5 and scoring twice. Stevenson finished with two hits as well. The Herd recorded 12 hits, all coming from Chelemen, Harrell, Pye and Stevenson, the two through five spots in the lineup.
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---
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Lokeinsky, Kara (1-0)
L: Stauffer, Megan (2-1)
S: Gardner, Lynn (2)
Batting:
2B: Cunningham, Kaitlyn 1 ; Berthiaume, Sara 2 ; Story, Bailey 1
HR: Cunningham, Kaitlyn 1 ; Burke, Kaitlyn 2
RBI: Cunningham, Kaitlyn 2 ; Berthiaume, Sara 3 ; Burke, Kaitlyn 3 ; Jones, Zoey 1 ; Story, Bailey 2
SH: Orland, Caryssa 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Cunningham, Kaitlyn 2 ; Berthiaume, Sara 1 ; Burke, Kaitlyn 2 ; Amm, Maya 1 ; Ennis, Riley 1 ; Murray, Myah 1 ; Orland, Caryssa 1 ; Ebert, Gretchen 1 ; Story, Bailey 1
SB: Jones, Zoey 1
HBP: Cunningham, Kaitlyn 1 ; Amm, Maya 1
Batting:
2B: Halliwill, Paige 1
HR: Huerta, Sierra 1 ; Stevenson, Mya 1 ; Sackett, Kat 1
RBI: Huerta, Sierra 2 ; Harrell, Aly 1 ; Pye, Saige 3 ; Adams, Katie 1 ; Stevenson, Mya 1 ; Sackett, Kat 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Huerta, Sierra 3 ; Chelemen, Grace 2 ; Harrell, Aly 1 ; Stevenson, Mya 1 ; Sackett, Kat 1 ; Brown, Armani 1
Game Leaders
Hitting
AB
2
R
3
H
1
RBI
2
AB
3
R
2
H
1
RBI
0
AB
3
R
1
H
1
RBI
1
Players Mentioned
C
/ Softball
P
/ Softball
INF
/ Softball
OF
/ Softball
OF
/ Softball
INF
/ Softball
INF
/ Softball
P
/ Softball
P
/ Softball
P
/ Softball
OF
/ Softball
C
/ Softball
P
/ Softball
P
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