Marshall University Athletics
Marshall University
33-11, 14-2
South Alabama
26-20, 10-6
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | Runs R | Hits H | Errors E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Ala. | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 7 | 0 |
| Marshall | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | X | 5 | 6 | 0 |
Darnley’s Grand Slam Lifts Herd Over South Alabama in Series Opener
4/17/2026 11:05:00 PM | Softball
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — Marshall Softball (33-11, 14-2 SBC) rallied to top South Alabama (26-20, 10-6 SBC) Friday evening in front of a packed Dot Hicks Field, 5-2. Senior Abby Darnley's grand slam was the first in her career, giving MU a series lead in a crucial three-game set.
That is SOOOO CLUTCH ABBY! https://t.co/1ewAnWw31G pic.twitter.com/lRlgxWmSMS
— Marshall Softball (@HerdSB) April 17, 2026
As a note, the second game of the series, Saturday's contest has been moved to 1 p.m.
The Herd trailed by a pair after the opening inning, working back into the contest against the Jaguars on an RBI double from Ava Blake in the 3rd. The two-out rip off the wall scored birthday girl Makayla Taylor, who pinch-ran for Darnley after the senior's first hit Friday.
Darnley's second hit, the most important of the contest, came on a nine-pitch at-bat with the bases loaded. The Herd took advantage of four-consecutive walks to begin the 4th with the opposite-field shot for Darnley to follow.
The home run is Marshall's 78th this season. Coach Morgan Zerkle's side is one way from tying the single-season program record of 79 set in 2019.
For postgame quotes from Coach Zerkle and Darnley, view HERE.
Jules King went the distance, striking out five after keeping the Jaguars scoreless after the opening frame. A pair of leaping and diving catches from Diamond Leslie and Chandler Hoskins helped seal the series-opening victory in the final frame.
Defense to win it! pic.twitter.com/KZsysJ4ZHe
— Marshall Softball (@HerdSB) April 18, 2026
UP NEXT
Game two has been moved to 1 p.m. Saturday with impending weather.
For all the latest information about Marshall Softball, follow @HerdSB on Twitter and Instagram.
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: King, Jules (12-5)
L: Ryley Harrison (12-10)
Batting:
2B: Presley Lively 1 ; Virginia Mambelli 1
RBI: Virginia Mambelli 1 ; Gracie Dees 1
SH: Reganied Franka 1
SF: Gracie Dees 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Presley Lively 1 ; Gracie Jo Ward 1
Batting:
2B: Hoskins, Chandler 1 ; Blake, Ava 1
HR: Darnley, Abby 1
RBI: Blake, Ava 1 ; Darnley, Abby 4
Base Running:
RUNS: Simpson, Paige 1 ; Gerlach, Bella 1 ; Adkins, Haleigh 1 ; Darnley, Abby 1 ; Taylor, Makayla 1
CS: Leslie, Diamond 1
