Marshall University Athletics
Marshall University
37-6, 12-2
JMU
23-15, 8-8
Marshall Softball Dominant in Game 1 Win over JMU
4/21/2023 7:15:00 PM | Softball
Herd’s Owen breaks single-season RBI record in 10-2 win
Box Score
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Marshall's softball team started its home weekend off right, erupting for six runs in the second inning and never looking back in a 10-2 win in six innings over James Madison on Friday afternoon at Dot Hicks Field.
With the win, Marshall moved to 37-6 on the season and 12-2 in the Sun Belt Conference.
Marshall's Autumn Owen was one of five Marshall players to drive in runs on Friday, but her RBI in the second inning was special as she passed Marshall Hall of Famer Rachel Folden for the single-season record in RBIs with 61.
"(Rachel Folden) is a legend, so it's awesome for Autumn to continue to push and to put her name in the record books," Marshall head coach Megan Smith Lyon said.
Owen's RBI came as part of a six-run second inning in which the Thundering Herd offense exploded against JMU starter Rebecca Muh.
Grace Chelemen capped the game off with a two-run single that ended the game via the eight-run mercy rule. Chelemen's single came at the end of a 13-pitch at-bat in which she fouled off six straight pitches before sending the clincher to right-center field.
Chelemen finished 3-for-3 for the Herd.
"Grace is clutch," Smith Lyon said. "She is the person on our team that you want the bat in her hands when the game is on the line or when there's a chance to walk it off. She comes through consistently."
Marshall's Rielly Lucas also had herself a day at the plate, finishing 2-for-3 with a home run and four RBIs.
Marshall pitcher Sydney Nester put in another solid performance in the circle for the Thundering Herd, scattering five hits and two runs – neither earned – while walking three and striking out six in six innings of work.
The two teams return to Dot Hicks Field for Game 2 of their three-game series at 1 p.m. on Saturday. A win would give Marshall its sixth straight series win to open Sun Belt action.
For all the latest information about Marshall Softball, follow @HerdSB on Twitter and Instagram.
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---HerdZone.com---
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Nester, Sydney (21-5)
L: Muh, Rebecca (4-2)
Batting:
RBI: Hall, Hallie 2
Base Running:
RUNS: Mathis, KK 1 ; Shifflett, Hannah 1
SB: Hall, Hallie 1
CS: Mathis, KK 1
Batting:
2B: Coleman, Alex 1 ; Owen, Autumn 1
HR: Lucas, Rielly 1
RBI: Coleman, Alex 1 ; Bickel, Sydney 1 ; Owen, Autumn 1 ; Chelemen, Grace 2 ; Lucas, Rielly 4
SH: Bickel, Sydney 1 ; Michallas, Camryn 1 ; Feringa, Bub 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Coleman, Alex 2 ; Bickel, Sydney 1 ; Chelemen, Grace 2 ; Michallas, Camryn 1 ; Feringa, Bub 1 ; Lucas, Rielly 1 ; Godfrey, Bri 2
HBP: Feringa, Bub 1
