Marshall University Athletics
Marshall University
Akron (H) vs. Canisius (A)
Herd Softball Back at Dot Hicks Field for Home-Opening Weekend
3/5/2026 1:34:00 PM | Softball
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. - After 21 games on the road to begin the 2026 season, Marshall Softball is set for Home Opening Day at Dot Hicks Field Friday with a doubleheader starting at 3 p.m. against Akron.
The Herd is hosting the Marshall March Madness Invitational with Canisius and Howard also joining the Zips in traveling to Huntington. The full tournament schedule can be found on MU Softball's schedule page.
Weekend Information
Dates: Mar. 6-8, 2026
Opponents: Akron, Canisius, Howard
Place: Huntington, West Virginia
Stadium: Dot Hicks Field
Watch: ESPN+
Live Stats: StatBroadcast
X: @HerdSB
Coach Morgan Zerkle
- Head Coach Morgan Zerkle enters her 3rd season as head coach at her alma mater. The 2017 All-American for the Herd led the team that season with a .476 average en route to a NCAA Tournament appearance. The Herd has made two NCAA Regionals in its history (2013 & 2017).
- Marshall vaulted up to a 2nd place finish in the Sun Belt Conference in season two under Zerkle. The Herd improved its win total by six games with five more SBC victories from the season prior.
- Zerkle - the Milton, West Virginia native - plays professionally for the AUSL's Chicago Bandits. She is also on the active Team USA Softball roster.
MARSHALL NOTES
- Marshall fans will recognize 13 returners from the 2025 season and eight newcomers to the 2026 roster. A returning senior Bella Gerlach and newcomer transfer sophomore Sydni Burko are tied for the league lead with nine home runs apiece. Marshall leads the Sun Belt and is ranked 7th nationally with 38 home runs. For a more condensed game program with roster pictures, view HERE.
- A trio of Herd pitchers have taken the majority of innings in the circle so far this season. Senior Paige Maynard, junior Jules King, and sophomore Maddie Veal have each pitched a shutout this season. King currently ranks 5th in the SBC with 52 strikeouts.
- The Herd returns to the friendly confines of Dot Hicks Field, where the team posted a 17-5 record in 2025. MU has an all-time record of 369-188-2 at home.
- For full game notes for the Marshall March Madness, view HERE.
ABOUT AKRON
- Akron is 6-14 this season with senior outfielder Meagan Lee leading the team with a .377 average.
- With her four complete games, junior Madie Jamrog heads a Zip pitching staff that is led by pitching coach and former MUSB player Cailey Joyce.
- Marshall leads the all-time series against the former MAC foe, 19-18.
ABOUT CANISIUS
- Canisius is 4-4 this season, with its weekend-opening game against Akron Friday being its first game since Feb. 21.
- Junior Olivia Manchester leads the Golden Griffins pitching staff with 18.1 IP and a 1.81 ERA.
- Marshall leads the all-time series, 2-0 against Canisius with the two sides last meeting in 2009.
ABOUT HOWARD
- Howard is 7-12, having faced a gauntlet schedule where the team lost 1-0 to No. 17 LSU and is coming off an extra-inning victory over Minnesota.
- Leading the Bison in innings pitched is Marshall transfer Aiko Conaway. The Virginia native got the win in relief against Minnesota and pitched a complete game in the narrow defeat against LSU.
- Marshall leads the all-time series, 3-0.
For all the latest information about Marshall Softball, follow @HerdSB on Twitter and Instagram.
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