Marshall University Athletics
Marshall University
5-5
Georgia Tech
6-5
Herd Drops Pair Against No. 5 Florida, GT
2/14/2026 7:42:00 PM | Softball
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Marshall Softball (5-6) endured a challenging Saturday at the Florida Classic, dropping both games with a 10-1 defeat to Georgia Tech and a 14-4 loss to the No. 5 Gators. Senior Bella Gerlach provided several of the bright spots between the two games with a solo home run in the opener, and an RBI double off the UF ace in the second contest
First Game: Georgia Tech 10, Marshall 1
Gerlach gave Marshall an early lead in the first game with a solo shot to right center in the bottom of the 1st. The home run was the first of three MU would hit Saturday, bringing its total to 21 - a number ranked 3rd nationally in NCAA DI at the time of completion of Marshall's second game.
BELLA 💣 ‼️
— Marshall Softball (@HerdSB) February 14, 2026
Opposite field shot is Bella Gerlach's 4th this season! 1-0 Herd! pic.twitter.com/AHHhqSGpsF
Georgia Tech responded quickly, capitalizing on a pair of walks and a key two-run single in the 2nd to take the lead for good. GT pounded 12 hits, a season-high for a Marshall opponent which would be equaled against the Gators in the nightcap.
Second Game: #5 Florida 14, Marshall 4 (5 Innings)
Diamond Leslie led off with her first of three hits in the game, scoring on a Gerlach double off the top of the wall to give the Herd an early lead on the 5th ranked team in the nation.
In addition to Leslie's three knocks, the Herd had seven base hits against Florida's Preseason All-SEC pitcher, including freshman Sydney Turner's infield hit, the first in her collegiate career.
T4 | First-collegiate hit for Sydney Turner followed by a 2-Run Shot for Chandler Hoskins! pic.twitter.com/oEbHoT9Xrd
— Marshall Softball (@HerdSB) February 14, 2026
Starting pitcher Jules King battled over four innings pitched. The Herd's junior has struck out 19 in the 23 innings she has pitched this season.
Despite the results, the Herd showed moments of resilience against NCAA-caliber competition. The Herd has one more game as it closes its season-opening stretch in the Sunshine State.
Up Next
Marshall closes the Florida Classic Sunday morning at 9 a.m. against FIU.
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: Keagan Rothrock (5-0)
L: King, Jules (2-3)
Batting:
2B: Gerlach, Bella 1
HR: Leslie, Diamond 1 ; Hoskins, Chandler 1
RBI: Leslie, Diamond 1 ; Gerlach, Bella 1 ; Hoskins, Chandler 2
Base Running:
RUNS: Leslie, Diamond 2 ; Turner, Sydney 1 ; Hoskins, Chandler 1
Batting:
2B: Ava Brown 2 ; Madison Walker 1
HR: Kendall Grover 2 ; Cassidy McLellan 1 ; Ella Wesolowski 1
RBI: Taylor Shumaker 1 ; Jocelyn Erickson 2 ; Kendall Grover 6 ; Ava Brown 2 ; Cassidy McLellan 2 ; Ella Wesolowski 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Taylor Shumaker 1 ; Jocelyn Erickson 2 ; Kendall Grover 2 ; Giulia Desiderio 1 ; Kenleigh Cahalan 1 ; Ava Brown 1 ; Cassidy McLellan 1 ; Ella Wesolowski 1 ; Gabi Comia 2 ; Townsen Thomas 1 ; Madison Walker 1
