Marshall University Athletics
Marshall University
24-10, 5-3
Texas State
21-14, 4-4
Marshall Softball Wins at Texas State, 2-1 to Even Series
3/28/2026 7:07:00 PM | Softball
SAN MARCOS, Texas — Marshall Softball defeated Texas State Saturday afternoon behind a gem from sophomore Maddie Veal in the circle. The Herd won its 24th game of the season and its first in San Marcos. MU is in a three-way tie for the league lead at 6-2 in SBC play.
Veal pitched a complete game with seven strikeouts across seven innings, her two most important coming consecutively with the potential tying run in scoring position in the final frame. Her 117 pitches are a Marshall career-high as Veal worked through the Bobcat lineup, including winning a 15-pitch battle with her first punchout in the 2nd.
Maddie finished off a GEM in the best way possible! 💎 😤 pic.twitter.com/UBafX1Uzak
— Marshall Softball (@HerdSB) March 28, 2026
The collective Herd pitching staff has a sub-3.00 ERA with 181 strikeouts. Veal has joined Jules King and Paige Maynard with her fourth complete game Saturday.
The Herd offense again was tasked with facing the SBC Preseason Pitcher of the Year after Texas State started Madison Azua for the second-consecutive game. After leaving six stranded through the first three innings, the Herd broke through in the 5th starting off the bat of Sydni Burko. The sophomore's team-leading 13th home run led off the inning to break the deadlock. Hits from Chandler Hoskins and Diamond Leslie preceded an Ava Blake sacrifice fly to score a pinch-running Sydney Turner for the crucial second run in the frame.
Burko Blast!! 💥
— Marshall Softball (@HerdSB) March 28, 2026
Lucky No. 13 of the year for Sydni Burko has Marshall in front! pic.twitter.com/ERu0uKKQml
Marshall doubled up the Bobcats with eight hits and a stronger offensive showing against the only team entering the weekend with a better team ERA in the league. But the Herd's pitching won the duel Saturday as Veal worked around the one-out double in the final frame, setting up the rubber match Sunday.
UP NEXT
The series finale is at 11 a.m. eastern Sunday, 10 a.m. San Marcos time.
For all the latest information about Marshall Softball, follow @HerdSB on Twitter and Instagram.
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Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Veal, Maddie (7-2)
L: Emma Strood (3-4)
Batting:
HR: Burko, Sydni 1
RBI: Burko, Sydni 1 ; Blake, Ava 1
SH: Simpson, Paige 1 ; Blake, Ava 1
SF: Blake, Ava 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Burko, Sydni 1 ; Turner, Sydney 1
SB: Leslie, Diamond 1
Batting:
2B: Kate Bubela 1
RBI: Aiyana Coleman 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Sydney Harvey 1
SB: Harley Vestal 1
