Marshall University Athletics
Marshall University
Texas Tech
Herd Softball Opens 2025 Season at NFCA D1 Leadoff Classic
2/4/2025 11:30:00 AM | Softball
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. - Marshall University Softball begins its 2025 campaign at the NFCA D1 Leadoff Classic in Clearwater, Fla. starting on Thursday, Feb. 6 at 7 p.m. against No. 10 Texas Tech.Â
The Herd will play five games across the four days with two contests coming against Preseason ESPN/USA Today Top-25 opponents.Â
Weekend Information
Dates: Feb. 6-9, 2025
Opponents: No. 10 Texas Tech, No. 15 Missouri, Southern Miss, Iowa, Morgan State
Place: Clearwater, Florida
Stadium: Eddie C. Moore Softball Complex
Watch: GameChanger (Free)
Twitter: @HerdSB
Coach Morgan Zerkle
- Marshall enters its second season under Head Coach Morgan Zerkle. The 2017 All-American for the Herd led the team that season with a .476 average en route to a NCAA Tournament appearance. The Herd has made two NCAA Regionals in its history (2013 & 2017). Â
- Zerkle - the Milton, West Virginia native - has been drafted to the AUSL's Bandits this past January, alongside Assistant Coach Sydney McKinney.Â
MARSHALL NOTES
- The Herd returns 12 players from last year with 11 newcomers to the roster - including seven freshmen and four transfers.
- Among the returners include 2024 Preseason Sun Belt Conference Player of the Year Brooklyn Ulrich. The redshirt-junior led the team with a .349 average in 2024. Ulrich and fellow-returnee Bella Gerlach co-led the SBC with 48 RBI last season. Â
- The Herd has been picked ninth in the SBC Preseason Poll.Â
- For preseason game notes for the Herd, view HERE.
ABOUT TEXAS TECH
- Texas Tech is ranked No. 10 in the Preseason ESPN/USA Today Softball Poll.Â
- The Red Raiders are led by former Louisiana Head Coach Gerry Glasco who will be making his debut against Marshall Thursday, as will 2024 USA Softball Collegiate Pitcher of the Year and Stanford transfer NiJaree Canady.Â
ABOUT MISSOURI
- Missouri is ranked No. 15 in the Preseason ESPN/USA Today Softball Poll.Â
- The Tigers hosted a Super Regional in 2024 with its matchup against the Herd being its season-opener.Â
ABOUT SOUTHERN MISS
- Marshall and Southern Miss will be meeting in a non-conference game in Clearwater. The two sides are not scheduled to meet in conference play.Â
- The Golden Eagles were picked 10th in the SBC Preseason Poll.Â
ABOUT IOWA
- Iowa finished 18-28 in 2024 and 6-17 in Big Ten play.Â
- The Herd and Hawkeyes have not met since the 2003 season.
ABOUT MORGAN STATE
- Morgan State won the 2024 MEAC title, advancing to the 2024 NCAA Tournament.Â
- The Bears set a school-record 35 wins last season.
For all the latest information about Marshall softball, follow @HerdSB on Twitter and Instagram.
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