Marshall University Athletics
Marshall University
9-11
Valparaiso
9-8
Marshall Softball Thunders Back for Saturday Sweep
3/8/2025 11:22:00 PM | Softball
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — Marshall Softball (10-11) won two more on Saturday from Dot Hicks Field, bringing its record to 4-0 for its opening weekend of the season in Huntington.
The Herd defeated Valparaiso, 13-5 in five innings to start Saturday in front of a lively Saturday afternoon crowd.
Marshall then scored nine unanswered to roar past Buffalo, 9-4.
The Herd had an abundance of offensive standouts Saturday, including senior Kasia Parks who combined for five hits, two home runs, and eight RBI.
Several MU pitchers stepped up, with freshman Maddie Veal throwing 5.2 scoreless IP in relief, striking out five to earn her first collegiate victory.
First Game: Marshall 13, Valparaiso 5 (5 Innings)
Brooklyn Ulrich slugged an opposite-field home run on the first pitch she saw in the bottom of the 1st to foreshadow what would be Marshall's third double-digit offensive output of the season. Coach Morgan Zerkle's team also notched 15 hits for the third time this season.
Ulrich was followed by home runs from Abby Darnley and Parks in the 1st and 2nd innings. Darnley's three RBI tied a career-best for the Eleanor, W.Va. junior.
Parks - who entered the weekend without a collegiate home run - now has three after she hit two more on Saturday, with her three-run shot in the 2nd giving Marshall a comfortable lead.
Starter Paige Maynard earned her fourth win of the year in the circle. The Raleigh County, W.Va. native struck out five over 3.2 innings pitched. The Beacons (9-8) made noise before sophomore Kaleea Washington helped to put out the fire in the 4th.
The Herd responded with four of its own in the 4th and in the 5th to seal the win. Redshirt freshman Chandler Hoskins and senior Rielly Lucas drove in runs in the victory.
Second Game: Marshall 9, Buffalo 4
Marshall needed a pitching performance and received it from freshman Maddie Veal in the nightcap against Buffalo (3-15). The Newnan, Ga. native entered in the 3rd and allowed just two hits across the final 5.2 of the game, with five strikeouts.
Veal earned the win as the Herd offense chipped away at the deficit and eventually took over with nine unanswered runs. She is now the fourth Herd pitcher to earn a win this season.
Again, it was Parks who hit a home run off the videoboard in right field to lead the rally in the 3rd. An inning later, her deep sacrifice fly tied the game before Lucas's infield bloop put Marshall in front.
KP is on fire🔥Her 3rd homerun this weekend! pic.twitter.com/5UhBsNQ0Ws
— Marshall Softball (@HerdSB) March 9, 2025
The Herd pounded 13 more hits in game two. Sophomore Ramey George provided an RBI double after hitting her first-career MU home run on Friday night.
UP NEXT
Marshall March Madness wraps up on Sunday with the Herd facing Loyola Chicago at 1:30 and Valpo at 4. Postgame signings have been moved to Sunday with the cold weather Saturday night.
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: Maynard, Paige (4-3)
L: Quickle, Caitlyn (0-1)
Batting:
2B: Vrastil, Madison 1 ; Krug, Kayden 1
RBI: Vrastil, Madison 1 ; Szostak, Lexi 1 ; Krug, Kayden 2 ; Rodas, Kim 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Lopez, Azalya 1 ; Garnica, Kaia 1 ; Szostak, Lexi 1 ; Krug, Kayden 1 ; Bush, Natalie 1
Batting:
2B: Parks, Kasia 1
HR: Ulrich, Brooklyn 1 ; Parks, Kasia 1 ; Darnley, Abby 1
RBI: Ulrich, Brooklyn 2 ; Parks, Kasia 4 ; Lucas, Rielly 1 ; Darnley, Abby 3 ; Hoskins, Chandler 2
Base Running:
RUNS: Ulrich, Brooklyn 4 ; Parks, Kasia 3 ; Darnley, Abby 2 ; Leslie, Diamond 1 ; Feringa, Bub 1 ; Blake, Ava 1 ; Titi, Tia 1
SB: Leslie, Diamond 1 ; Simpson, Paige 1
CS: Simpson, Paige 1
HBP: Simpson, Paige 1
