Marshall University Athletics
Marshall University
20-14, 0
Texas State
21-9, 0
Rielly Lucas Walk-Off Winner Caps Dramatic Marshall Victory Over Texas State
3/29/2025 10:31:00 PM | Softball
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — It would be hard to top the game fans at Dot Hicks Field witnessed Saturday night.
After a season-long nine innings played, senior Rielly Lucas hit a walk-off home run over the right field fence to provide a dramatic 5-4, 9-inning victory for her hometown team.
WALK IT OFF RIELLY!!!!! pic.twitter.com/FzH3AaymWD
— Marshall Softball (@HerdSB) March 30, 2025
The team-leading 11th home run for Lucas capped a long afternoon of softball which ended in a crucial series victory for Marshall (21-14, 7-2 SBC) over Texas State (21-10, 5-4 SBC).
Prior to the Lucas winner, the Herd was twice down to its final out, and twice came up with RBI hits from Diamond Leslie and Kasia Parks.
"It felt great!" Lucas said. "The at-bat before, I got out. I turned to Diamond [Leslie] who was behind me and told her to pick me up and she did just that. She tied the game with that hit and we were right back in it. That last at-bat, I knew I had to do the same. I told Brooklyn [Ulrich] I had her back and was going to pick her up. That's what's so special about this team. We truly play for one another and it's such a special experience."
The ninth inning blast was the latest walk-off home run for the Herd since Rachel Rousseau did so in the eight inning of a win over WKU.
Following the dramatic victory, Coach Morgan Zerkle's side will finish the third weekend of league play at least tied atop the Sun Belt Conference standings.
"This team continues to fight," Coach Zerkle said. "You can never count them out. We had gutsy performances in the circle and hitters that found a way to get it done when it mattered. Incredible weekend from a squad that still has so much more to bring. Herd fans, thanks for coming out; stay excited."
Second Game: Marshall 5, Texas State 4 (9 Innings)
In addition to all the dramatics at the plate, Marshall won because of pitcher Paige Maynard. The junior from Raleigh County, West Virginia pitched all nine innings with 196 pitches thrown. Maynard struck out five and stranded 13 Bobcats.
The Herd's defense had multiple diving catches from Parks, Chandler Hoskins, and Paige Simpson to the aid of Maynard.
The Parks diving catch kept it a two-run deficit for Marshall who entered the bottom of the 7th, down 3-1. The Herd was 1-12 when trailing entering its final at-bat.
Senior Bub Feringa started the inning with a leadoff hit followed by a hit-by-pitch which allowed Leslie the opportunity to tie the game.
DIAMOND LESLIE!!! https://t.co/StYUR4IWmg pic.twitter.com/34dXukwCyz
— Marshall Softball (@HerdSB) March 30, 2025
The 8th seemed less promising for Marshall, until Kasia Parks hit a first-pitch liner to dead center field to tie it once more.
ARE YOU KIDDING KP?!?!?!? https://t.co/4y6PD42FZf pic.twitter.com/O5HTVE5nfp
— Marshall Softball (@HerdSB) March 30, 2025
First Game: Texas State 5, Marshall 3
Before her walk-off ended the day, Lucas hit a three-run opposite field home run in the 1st to start it.
The Herd held onto the lead until the 5th when three runs over two innings from the Bobcats allowed the visitors to set up the rubber game finale.
Sophomore Kaleea Washington had her longest outing in relief this season, with 2.2 IP and a scoreless 7th.
UP NEXT
With no midweeks scheduled, Marshall travels to Boone to face App State starting Friday, April 4.
For all the latest information about Marshall softball, follow @HerdSB on Twitter and Instagram.
To follow all Thundering Herd sports and get live stats, schedules, and free live audio, download the Marshall Athletics App for iOS or Android!
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Madison Azua (11-3)
L: King, Jules (5-6)
Batting:
2B: Megan Kelnar 1
HR: Keely Williams 1 ; Aiyana Coleman 1
RBI: Keely Williams 1 ; Aiyana Coleman 2 ; Megan Kelnar 1 ; Kate Bubela 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Sydney Harvey 2 ; Keely Williams 1 ; Aiyana Coleman 1 ; Megan Kelnar 1
SB: Karmyn Bass 1
CS: Keely Williams 1
Batting:
2B: Darnley, Abby 1
HR: Lucas, Rielly 1
RBI: Lucas, Rielly 3
SH: Simpson, Paige 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Ulrich, Brooklyn 1 ; Parks, Kasia 1 ; Lucas, Rielly 1
