Marshall University Athletics
Marshall University
23-3
UT Martin
9-12
Herd Sweeps Doubleheader As Owen Takes National Home Run Lead
3/22/2023 9:52:00 PM | Softball
Marshall returns home for Sun Belt Conference Home Opener Friday
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The Thundering Herd softball team improved to 24-3 with a pair of victories Wednesday in Louisville.
The Herd defeated the OVC preseason-favorite, Tennessee-Martin 4-1, before defeating Bellarmine 17-2 on its home field.
Junior Autumn Owen hit her NCAA-leading 15th home run in the second win, after knocking number 14 in the opener.
The wins improve the team's best start in program history, with Coach Megan Smith Lyon's team on a 14-game winning streak entering its highly-anticipated home opening Sun Belt series against Southern Miss Friday.
"We are so excited for our first home Sun Belt series this weekend," Smith Lyon said. "We love playing in front of our fans and they make a huge impact on our team. So, come out and help us make more 'Dot Magic!'"
First Game: Marshall 4, Tennessee-Martin 1
Junior pitcher Savannah Rice earned her sixth win of the year, allowing no earned runs on just three hits.
It was a four-run 3rd that propelled the Herd over the Skyhawks, with Alex Coleman leading off the inning with a single and her SBC-best 28th stolen base of the year. Coleman ended the day with 30 stolen bases. Sydney Bickel drove in Coleman with an RBI double before Owen's 14th blast brought in the third run. Camryn Michallas singled home Bub Feringa for the fourth run of the frame.
Rice was dominant on the windy day in Louisville, tossing a complete game, striking out 10 UTM batters.
Second Game: Marshall 17, Bellarmine 2
The Herd offense exploded for nine runs in the 6th to seal what was already an 8-2 lead entering the frame.
Long balls from Rielly Lucas and Owen's NCAA-leading 15th blast capped the big MU offensive day.
The top four batters in the batting order with Coleman, Bickel, Owen, and Grace Chelemen all drove in multiple runs in addition to Lucas's three runs driven in.
The insurance was plenty for starter Bri Godfrey, who earned her fourth win in the circle in 2023. The freshman pitched five innings of two-run ball before Bub Feringa closed out the route.
UP NEXT
Marshall faces Southern Miss in its home-opening Sun Belt Conference series. First pitch Friday is scheduled for 1 p.m.
For all the latest information about Marshall softball, follow @HerdSB on Twitter and Instagram.
To follow all Thundering Herd sports and get live stats, schedules, and free live audio, download the Marshall Athletics App for iOS or Android!
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Rice, Savannah (6-0)
L: LINNEMAN, B. (4-4)
Batting:
2B: KELLEY, K. 1
Base Running:
RUNS: KELLEY, K. 1
Batting:
2B: Bickel, Sydney 1
HR: Owen, Autumn 1
RBI: Bickel, Sydney 1 ; Owen, Autumn 2 ; Michallas, Camryn 1
SH: Chelemen, Grace 1 ; Lucas, Rielly 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Coleman, Alex 1 ; Bickel, Sydney 1 ; Owen, Autumn 1 ; Feringa, Bub 1
SB: Coleman, Alex 1
