Marshall Downs Middle in Series Opener

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Marshall Baseball registered a series-opening win, 11-7, over Conference USA foe Middle Tennessee Friday afternoon at the Kennedy Center. This was the second time the Thundering Herd offense posted more than 10 runs in a C-USA series opener this season.

"The biggest thing about our offense today was the ability to answer back," Marshall head baseball coach Jeff Waggoner said. "We were down three runs in the second inning, and we answered.

"Credit to Jeffrey Purnell … he didn't have his best stuff but he gave us a chance to win. He stayed in the game, we kept answering back while he put in big innings. It's a credit to an older guy who gave us a quality outing."

The Thundering Herd improved to 14-16-1 overall and 5-5 in Conference USA, while Middle Tennessee dropped to 13-15 and 5-5 in the league.

Left fielder Cole Williams and first baseman Daniel Carinci drove in three runs apiece for Marshall. Second baseman Travis Sankovich and center fielder Jordon Billups each posted three hits.

The Blue Raiders struck first with a pair of runs in the first inning. Fausto Lopez reached on a single to left field with JT Mabry getting on base via a HBP on Purnell's next offering. Purnell picked off Lopez at second, but Mason Spiers plated a pair of Blue Raiders on a home run to right center (2-0) following the out.

After Marshall was shutout in the first inning, Middle added another run in the second with small ball. Luke Vinson earned the RBI on a sac fly, allowing Tatsunori Negishi to score (3-0).

In the bottom of the second, the Thundering Herd responded. Kyle Schaefer started the momentum with a solo shot over the wall in right-center field. Billups put the second run on the board when he scored off a Carinci single to center field (3-2).

Holding the Blue Raiders scoreless in the third, Marshall pushed in front. After back-to-back singles by Luke Edwards and Sankovich, Williams sent a blast sailing north over the wall for a three-run dinger. Carinci added his second and third RBI after singling to center field. Geordon Blanton smacked a flyball to center for a sacrifice fly, allowing Billups to cross home plate. That gave Marshall an 8-3 lead.

"All three of those hitters [Williams, Ryan Leitch and Kyle Schaefer] are seeing the ball well the past few weeks," Williams said. "We finally saw some balls drop and balls go over the wall for the first time, which felt amazing. We're ready to get right back at it tomorrow. Today's game was good for setting the tone for the series."

The Blue Raiders chipped away with a pair of runs in the fourth and fifth inning (8-7), but Purnell and Cole Agemy combined for four scoreless innings to hold Middle at bay. The Herd offense added three runs in the sixth with Edwards plating Sankovich on a double down the left field line and Leitch notching a two-run homer.

UP NEXT
The two teams have adjusted the weekend schedule due to inclement weather in Saturday's forecast. They will now play a Sunday doubleheader, with the first game scheduled to begin at noon.

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Team Stats

Travis Sankovich

Jordon Billups

Luke Edwards

Cole Williams

Players Mentioned

Cole Agemy

Jordon Billups

Geordon Blanton

Daniel Carinci

Luke Edwards

Ryan Leitch

Jeffrey Purnell

Travis Sankovich

Kyle Schaefer

Cole Williams

Players Mentioned

Cole Agemy

Jordon Billups

Geordon Blanton

Daniel Carinci

Luke Edwards

Ryan Leitch

Jeffrey Purnell

Travis Sankovich

Kyle Schaefer

Cole Williams

Marshall University Athletics