Marshall University Athletics
Marshall University
7-4
Drake
5-3
Herd Softball’s Big 7th Inning Downs Drake
2/24/2024 12:55:00 AM | Softball
Arizona-based Herd players drive in five runs in doubleheader split
TUCSON, Ariz. — Marshall's softball team (7-5) split its doubleheader Friday at the Arizona Hillenbrand Invitational.
The Herd opened the day with a win over Drake on a season-high 15 hits, eight coming from the three Grand Canyon State natives on the team. MU rallied with four in the seventh to secure freshman Kaleea Washington's first-career win in the circle.
Marshall ended the day with a defeat against #23 Arizona.
First Game: Marshall 7, Drake 3
The four-run Herd explosion in the top half of the final frame set up Washington's win. Mesa native Brooklyn Ulrich drove in pinch-runner Lydia Montague to score the go-ahead run. Ulrich's hit was followed by knocks from Bella Gerlach, Bub Feringa, and Camryn Michallas to put Coach Morgan Zerkle's side up 7-3.
Feringa - the Glendale native - also drove in the tying-run in the 5th with an RBI double. Marshall's utility junior started the game in the circle, striking out two hitters in two-plus innings of work.
Washington relieved Feringa in the 3rd, stranding a runner in scoring position before retiring 13 of the final 15 Bulldog hitters she faced.
Peoria native Sydney Bickel had a game-high three hits, scoring the team's opening run in the 1st before singling in Kasia Parks in the 2nd.
Second Game: Arizona 12, Marshall 4 (6 innings)
Arizona's seven-run 5th flipped what was a Herd lead into an insurmountable hole. All seven UA runs in the 5th came after two were out.
Marshall scored its runs on home runs from Rielly Lucas and Ulrich in the 1st and 3rd innings to give the Herd the lead over the 23rd-ranked Wildcats.
Savannah Rice successfully worked her way out of trouble in the 1st, 3rd and 4th, where she picked a line drive off her glove to retire the final out and keep the game tied.
Gerlach singled in Bickel in the top of the 5th to put Marshall in front before Arizona rattled off the final nine runs of the game.
UP NEXT
Following a similar schedule Saturday, Marshall faces Central Michigan at 3 p.m. eastern, 1 local before a rematch with the hosts at 8 p.m. eastern, 6 locally.
For all the latest information about Marshall softball, follow @HerdSB on Twitter and Instagram.
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Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Washington, Kaleea (1-0)
L: Dighton, Emma (0-1)
Batting:
2B: Ulrich, Brooklyn 2 ; Feringa, Bub 1
RBI: Bickel, Sydney 1 ; Darnley, Abby 1 ; Ulrich, Brooklyn 1 ; Feringa, Bub 1 ; Michallas, Camryn 1
SF: Darnley, Abby 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Bickel, Sydney 1 ; Montague, Lydia 1 ; Ulrich, Brooklyn 2 ; Gerlach, Bella 1 ; Washington, Destiny 1 ; Glanz, Reagan 1
SB: Bickel, Sydney 1 ; Montague, Lydia 1 ; Washington, Destiny 1
Batting:
2B: Lewis, Destiny 1 ; Lightner, Addie 1
RBI: Lewis, Destiny 1 ; Lightner, Addie 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Bishoff, Allie 1 ; Dighton, Emma 1 ; Lewis, Destiny 1
