Marshall University Athletics
Marshall University
5-7
FIU
9-2
Herd Drops Florida Classic Finale to FIU
2/15/2026 12:41:00 PM | Softball
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Marshall Softball (5-7) dropped a tightly contested 3-1 decision to FIU on Sunday at Pressly Stadium, with Paige Simpson collecting two of the team's five hits.
The Herd jumped on the board first in the top of the opening inning, capitalizing on a bases-loaded walk by Haleigh Adkins that plated Bella Gerlach. FIU quickly responded in the bottom half, tying the game with an RBI single. The game remained locked at one until the bottom of the 6th, when two wild pitches proved costly and allowed FIU to add the go-ahead and insurance runs.
Maddie Veal delivered a solid outing in the circle, working 5.1 innings and allowing just three hits with two strikeouts. Despite creating scoring opportunities, the Herd left seven runners on base and could not convert in critical moments.
The Herd returns home after a 12-game slate across the state of Florida against challenging opponents. Marshall comes away with victories against the likes of UConn, Iowa, and a FIU team that is now 9-2 with four ACC wins.
MU's seven losses came against teams with a combined 44-9 record to open 2026.
UP NEXT
Marshall returns to action Friday, Feb. 20 at Charlotte
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Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Kennedy Byrd (4-0)
L: Veal, Maddie (0-2)
Batting:
2B: Simpson, Paige 1
RBI: Adkins, Haleigh 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Gerlach, Bella 1
SB: Turner, Sydney 1
Batting:
2B: Kennedy Byrd 1
RBI: Leah Clark 1
SH: Zamya McBurrows 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Kally Meredith 2 ; Kennedy Byrd 1
SB: Leah Clark 1
