Marshall University Athletics
Marshall University
36-6
#13 Alabama
33-13
Record Crowd Sees Herd Softball Battle #14 Alabama
4/18/2023 7:19:00 PM | Softball
Crimson Tide comes away with 3-1 victory in front of crowd of 2,768
HUNTINGTON, W.Va — The historic day for Marshall softball (36-6) started well before the sun rose on Tuesday afternoon at Dot Hicks Field. A record-setting crowd of 2,768 lined up in the dawn hours outside as the Herd battled nationally-ranked #14 Alabama (33-12) in a 3-1 defeat.
Despite the narrow loss, Head Coach Megan Smith Lyon and the team will take away much more than just the result from Tuesday's game.
"What an exciting day to have Alabama and Liberty here," Smith Lyon said. "It was a great day for softball. Our sport is so much fun and these players deserve to be seen."
Camryn Michallas drove in Marshall's first run with two outs in the 7th to keep the Herd alive late. It was the Huntington native's second hit of the day for MU. Her infield hit scored Sydney Bickel who walked to open the late rally. But it was the 2021 NFCA Pitcher of the Year Montana Fouts who would finish off the save for the Crimson Tide.
Marshall's pitcher Sydney Nester had a quality start against a potent UA offense, pitching a complete-game, allowing just five hits, and two earned runs, while striking out eight.
The lone damage for the Crimson Tide came in the 6th with a leadoff double, followed by a home run. The three runs were enough for starter Lauren Esman who allowed one hit in over six innings of work.
Alabama became the 12th ranked opponent all-time to come to Huntington for softball. The record crowd Thursday smashed the previous Dot Hicks Field record of 1,016 when the Herd hosted Kentucky in 2016.
UP NEXT
Marshall returns to Dot Hicks Field for an important home series against the JMU Dukes. First pitch on Friday for the weekend opener is set for 1 p.m.
For all the latest information about Marshall softball, follow @HerdSB on Twitter and Instagram.
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Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Lauren Esman (4-2)
L: Nester, Sydney (20-5)
S: Montana Fouts (4)
Batting:
2B: Ally Shipman 1
HR: Bailey Dowling 1
RBI: Bailey Dowling 2
SH: Emma Broadfoot 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Ally Shipman 1 ; Bailey Dowling 1 ; Faith Hensley 1
HBP: Jenna Johnson 1
Batting:
RBI: Michallas, Camryn 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Bickel, Sydney 1
SB: Bickel, Sydney 1
