Marshall University Athletics
Marshall University
#12 Arkansas
Herd Softball Opens 2024 Season at FAU Paradise Classic
2/6/2024 10:00:00 AM | Softball
Marshall scheduled to play five games in three days
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. - The Coach Morgan Zerkle era officially begins for Marshall softball on Thursday, Feb. 8.Â
Zerkle's Herd will play five games over the course of three days, opening with the #12 Arkansas Razorbacks at 2 p.m. Thursday before playing against the tournament-hosts Florida Atlantic at 4:30 p.m.
"It's a great feeling," Coach Zerkle said. "I think the anticipation is there, we're ready to face an opponent finally and not just play against each other. Everyone is very excited just to start the season and get going, then evaluate and get better from there."
Weekend Information
Dates: Feb. 8-10, 2024
Opponents: Arkansas, FAU, Michigan State & Penn State
Place: Boca Raton, Florida
Stadium: Joan Joyce Field
Watch: FloSoftball ($)
Twitter: @HerdSB
Coach Morgan Zerkle
- On June 26, 2023, Morgan Zerkle was named the 5th head coach in the history of the Marshall softball program.
- Zerkle - the Milton, West Virginia native - collected an abundance of team-records for Marshall as a player from 2014-17. Zerkle has spent the last four seasons as an assistant coach at Miami (Ohio).Â
- On coaching for Marshall, Zerkle said, "I am feeling immense gratitude, joy, pride and emotion as I come back to Huntington – my home – to lead the Herd, I can't wait to get started."
PRE-GAME NOTES
- Marshall went 45-10 in 2023, finishing runner-up in the Sun Belt Conference regular season and tournament. The team's 45 wins were the most in program-history.
- The Herd returns nine players, including Preseason All-SBC Shortstop Sydney Bickel.
- MU features 12 newcomers, including seven freshmen, four transfers, and Lydia Montague, a former standout on the Marshall volleyball team.Â
ABOUT THE ARKANSAS RAZORBACKS
- Arkansas is ranked #12 in the ESPN.com/USA Today Softball Preseason Poll.
- The Razorbacks have an abundance of preseason accolades, including outfielder Nia Carter and first baseman Bri Ellis being named Preseason Second-Team All-Americans.Â
ABOUT THE FAU OWLS
- The tournament hosts Florida Atlantic were picked 5th in the AAC Preseason Poll.
- The Owls return the 2023 C-USA Pitcher of the Year, Gabby Sacco.
ABOUT THE MICHIGAN STATE SPARTANS
- Michigan State enters 2024 under second-year head coach Sharonda McDonald-Kelley.
- Catcher Macy Lee returns as the team's leading-hitter after batting .297 in 2023.
ABOUT THE PENN STATE NITTANY LIONS
- Penn State comes into 2024 having won 30 games in consecutive seasons.Â
- The Nittany Lions feature All-Big Ten First Team selection, senior infielder Emily Maddock.Â
For all the latest information about Marshall softball, follow @HerdSB on Twitter and Instagram.
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