Marshall University Athletics
Marshall University
31-10, 12-2
Coastal Carolina
22-21, 6-8
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | Runs R | Hits H | Errors E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marshall | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 5 | 8 | 1 |
| Coastal | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 7 | 0 |
Herd Rallies to Win in Final At-Bat on Ava Blake Go-Ahead Homer
4/11/2026 5:30:00 PM | Softball
CONWAY, S.C. — It has just been that type of season for Marshall Softball. The Herd (31-10, 12-2 SBC) rallied with three runs in the 7th highlighted by a three-run home run by sophomore Ava Blake, coming from behind to stun Coastal Carolina, 5-4.
🫡 HERD BACK ON TOP! https://t.co/Cx14jsyW9b pic.twitter.com/3VordXIumN
— Marshall Softball (@HerdSB) April 11, 2026
The comeback win for Coach Morgan Zerkle's Herd was the team's sixth win in its final at-bat this season. MU was behind entering the 7th with its seven-game win streak in jeopardy before Blake's shot to center put the team ahead.
"I just knew that I needed to go all-out for my team," said Blake. "We had been working hard getting hits but we needed to put something together. [Coastal] had been throwing around Sydni Burko so I decided to take that personal and get ready to hit for my team."
Blake drove in pinch-running Sydney Turner, who ran for Burko after her second hit and fourth time reaching base, and Abby Darnley, who led off the frame with a hit-by-pitch. The go-ahead shot in the final frame while the Herd was trailing was the team's first since Diamond Leslie did so at JMU last season.
Paige Maynard earned the win in relief, her ninth victory of 2026. Maynard sat down all nine hitters she faced, including retiring the Coastal top of the order to close the victory.
Marshall jumped out to a 2-0 lead on Burko's RBI double, scoring Chandler Hoskins two hitters into the game. Tia Titi drove in the second run on a sacrifice fly two innings later before the home side took the lead it would hold until the final frame.
The Herd has won 26 of its last 29 games. At 31 victories, the team matches its win total from last season.
UP NEXT
The series finale is set for noon on Sunday.
For all the latest information about Marshall Softball, follow @HerdSB on Twitter and Instagram.
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Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Maynard, Paige (9-3)
L: Abby Henderson (7-12)
Batting:
2B: Burko, Sydni 1
HR: Blake, Ava 1
RBI: Burko, Sydni 1 ; Blake, Ava 3 ; Titi, Tia 1
SF: Titi, Tia 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Hoskins, Chandler 1 ; Turner, Sydney 1 ; Blake, Ava 1 ; Darnley, Abby 1 ; Taylor, Makayla 1
SB: Leslie, Diamond 1 ; Taylor, Makayla 1
HBP: Darnley, Abby 1
Batting:
HR: Delaney Keith 1 ; Brie Normandin 1
RBI: Delaney Keith 1 ; Georgia Hood 1 ; Brie Normandin 1 ; Livi Payne 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Delaney Keith 1 ; Brie Normandin 1 ; Libby Pippin 1 ; McKennah Metzger 1
