Herd Baseball Opens Beals Era with 11-4 Victory over Saint Louis

Box Score

HOOVER, Ala. – The Marshall University baseball team's (1-0) bats exploded in an 11-4 season-opening win over the Saint Louis Billikens (0-1) on Friday to open the Greg Beals era in Hoover, Alabama.

"We played with purpose and energy," Beals said. "Our men were one today supporting each other and the mission. This is one win – we need to be consistent with our approach."

The Herd quickly loaded the bases in the top of the second on an Owen Ayers single, Elijah Vogelsong reaching on an error and a Gio Ferraro base knock to center. Christian Lucio then drew one of his three walks in the contest to bring home Ayers for the first run of the game. Two batters later, Cam Harthan drew a one-out bases loaded walk to score Vogelsong and make it 2-0 Marshall.

Luke Edwards followed with a two-RBI single to center. Then Gabriel Cabrera smoked a two-out two-rundouble to right field to give the Herd a 6-0 advantage.

Starting pitcher Patrick Copen had a terrific day on the mound. The junior righty went 4.0 innings giving up just one run on three hits and four walks while striking out eight Billikens. Copen had multiple strikeouts in each of the first three innings, including striking out the side in the first.

Eddie Leon singled to center in the top of the third. The Saint Louis center fielder committed an error on the play allowing Ferraro to score and make it 7-0.

The Herd extended its lead to 10-1 in the top of fourth on a Ferraro sacrifice fly and a Harthan two-run single.

Ferraro capped off a 3-for-3 day at the plate in his Marshall debut with a solo homer to right in the top of the eighth to make it 11-4 Herd.

Bryce Blevins, one of eight student-athletes to make their Herd debuts picked up the win after two innings of work in relief of Copen. Chad Heiner threw perfect eighth and ninth frames to close out the contest.

NOTES
The entire Marshall starting lineup reached base, with eight of the nine starters recording a hit.

Ayers, Edwards, Ferraro and Leon each had multi-hit games to start the season.

Cabrera, Edwards, Harthan and Ferraro each had multi-RBI efforts in the victory. Harthan led the way with three in his collegiate debut.

UP NEXT
The Herd takes on Saint Louis in game two of the series on Saturday at 3 p.m. EST/2 p.m. CST.

For all the latest information about Marshall baseball, follow @HerdBaseball on Twitter and @herdbsb on Instagram.
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---HerdZone.com---

Herd Baseball Opens Beals Era with 11-4 Victory over Saint Louis

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Team Stats

Gio Ferraro

Luke Edwards

Owen Ayers

Eddie Leon

Players Mentioned

Owen Ayers

Bryce Blevins

Gabriel Cabrera

Patrick Copen

Luke Edwards

Gio Ferraro

Cam Harthan

Chad Heiner

Eddie Leon

Christian Lucio

Elijah Vogelsong

Marshall University Athletics