Marshall University Athletics
Marshall University
34-12, 15-3
South Alabama
27-21, 11-7
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | Runs R | Hits H | Errors E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Ala. | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 11 | 2 |
| Marshall | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 2 |
Herd Softball Breaks Single-Season Home Run Record, Falls in Series Finale
4/19/2026 3:09:00 PM | Softball
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — Marshall Softball (34-12, 15-3 SBC) set a new single-season home run record with 80 this season following a 1st inning blast by Ava Blake. The 80 homer benchmark surpassed the previous record of 79 set by the 2019 Herd. Marshall dropped its series finale against South Alabama (27-21, 11-7 SBC), 4-2.
𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐧𝐞𝐰 𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐥𝐞-𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐇𝐎𝐌𝐄 𝐑𝐔𝐍 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐫𝐝! 🥎 💣
— Marshall Softball (@HerdSB) April 19, 2026
8️⃣0️⃣ blasts and counting!! 🧨💥💥 pic.twitter.com/TbHfqd3NVG
MU still came away with the series victory, extending its streak of winning all six series it has played this season. Head Coach Morgan Zerkle's side has won seven-consecutive Sun Belt Conference series extending to the end of 2025.
"The home run record is great while it's not something we show up to practice saying this is something we want," said Coach Zerkle. "We show up to practice saying we want to win a Sun Belt Conference Championship. It is cool, I am super proud of them but there are a lot more important things as well ahead."
The Jaguars responded with three in the 2nd, with MU playing from behind against the USA ace for the second time this weekend. A Sydni Burko RBI single in the 3rd drew the Herd within a run, but unlike Friday, the Herd found itself unable to get the big hit to get in front.
MU stranded seven and had the leadoff hitter on in three of its final four at-bats. Tia Titi was robbed of a potential tying extra-base hit by a diving catch in the 4th which would have leveled the scoring.
Titi and Burko would reach base in Marshall's final plate appearance, but were stranded as South Alabama salvaged the series finale.
UP NEXT
The Herd plays its final scheduled midweek contest Tuesday at EKU. First pitch is scheduled for 5 p.m.
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: Ryley Harrison (13-10)
L: Maynard, Paige (9-5)
Batting:
2B: Olivia Branstetter 1 ; Sydney Stewart 1 ; Ansleigh Smith 1
3B: Presley Lively 1
RBI: Presley Lively 1 ; Kara Wine 1 ; Ansleigh Smith 1 ; Brooklynn Bockhaus 1
SH: Caitlyn Gavin 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Presley Lively 1 ; Sydney Stewart 1 ; Caitlyn Gavin 1 ; Brooklynn Bockhaus 1
Batting:
HR: Blake, Ava 1
RBI: Burko, Sydni 1 ; Blake, Ava 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Hoskins, Chandler 1 ; Blake, Ava 1
