Harrell Dominates in Summer League

SARASOTA, Fla. – Marshall softball slugger Aly Harrell has had a tremendous season in the summer Florida Gulf Coast League. Harrell was named an All-Star and was honored with the People's Choice Award.

"Being a part of this league has been an experience of a lifetime," Harrell said. "I have loved getting to meet new people from different schools and make friends and connections. This league is opening up new doors for the sport of softball and I have loved the opportunity to get better over the summer with the high caliber of competition within the league!"

The league consists of 10 teams that play a 25 game season from June 17 to July 20, and features players from all around the country, from Power 5 schools as well as other mid-major excellent softball programs.

The People's Choice Award was selected among the leagues' coaches and is defined as honoring a player who stood out during the season, and was a unanimous vote from the coaches and staff.

Players selected to the All-Star team will get to face off against the USSSA Pride from the National ProFastpitch League Thursday through Saturday, July 22-24. Harrell was named an All-Star as part of the Surf Division.

Harrell played for the South Bradenton Skeeters under head coach Cara Parker, who is an assistant coach at Santa Fe College. Harrell had teammates came from all over the map; Florida State, Arkansas, Michigan State, Georgia, Stetson, Colorado State, George Mason, Nebraska-Omaha, Penn State, San Diego State, Saint Leo, East Tennessee State and Delaware.

The Gahanna, Ohio native shined during competition leading the league in OPS (On base plus slugging) at 1.624 and was tied for first in home runs (11) and RBI (28). She finished fifth with a .443 batting average and was second in on base percentage at .558. Overall Harrell had 27 hits, 20 runs scored, five doubles, 13 walks and three hit-by-pitches. She stole two bases and struck out just seven times.

In a contest against Team Mexico on June 26, Harrell finished with a double, one walk and one hit-by-pitch in three plate appearances. Team Mexico featured players such Sydney and Sierra Romero, Nicole Mendes and Brittany Cervantes. The pitcher that day was Taylor McQuillin who was a first team All-American for Arizona in 2019. The Skeeters lost, 4-0.

Harrell had one contest in which she hit two homers coming against the Bradenton Lynx on July 15. Harrell hammered a solo shot to lead off the third inning. Her second bomb was a grand slam in the top of the seventh and finished with five RBI. Her team was leading 9-6 just before the blast, and the Skeeters went on to win 13-6.

Marshall's power hitter, with the great eye at the plate, recorded a hit in 20 games with two or more nine times. She drove in two or more runs in 10 contests and also helped turn six double plays on defense.

Harrell's name is found all throughout the record book as she ranks in the top 10 all-time at Marshall in 11 different offensive categories and three on the defensive side. She is the all-time leader in on-base percentage (.547), is tied for second in home runs (40) with teammate Mya Stevenson, and is second in walks (131) to name a few. The three-time all-conference performer will get another chance to continue her assault on the Herd records as she will be returning to Marshall for her fifth season, choosing to stay in Huntington after being granted the additional season from the COVID-19 year of 2020.

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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Marshall University Athletics

Players Mentioned

Aly Harrell

Mya Stevenson

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