Marshall University Athletics
Marshall University
JMU
Marshall Hosts JMU with Opportunity to Win SBC Regular Season Title
4/29/2026 2:30:00 PM | Softball
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. - Marshall Softball (36-14, 16-5) is in control of its own fate to at least clinch a share of the Sun Belt Conference regular season title as it closes its scheduled home slate this weekend. The Thundering Herd hosts the James Madison Dukes (25-22, 11-10 SBC) for a three-game series starting Thursday evening at 6 p.m. from Dot Hicks Field.Â
The Herd is tied with ULM atop the SBC standings. The two sides - who did not meet in the regular season - have a two-game lead on Texas State and Southern Miss in a tie for 3rd. The full standings can be viewed HERE.
Series Information
Dates: Apr. 30-May 2, 2026
Opponent: JMU
Place: Huntington, West Virginia
Stadium: Dot Hicks Field
Watch: ESPN+
Live Stats: StatBroadcast
Game Notes: Marshall Game Notes
X: @HerdSB
Coach Morgan Zerkle
- Head Coach Morgan Zerkle is in 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). Â
- Marshall vaulted up to a 2nd place finish in the Sun Belt Conference in season two under Zerkle. Season three under Zerkle has already seen the team with its most overall and conference wins.
- 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
- The busy final weekend at Dot Hicks Field in 2026 will feature a pair of important pregame ceremonies. On Friday the team will recognize the winner of the Emileigh Cooper Warrior Award. The memorial award is given to a graduating senior who is ending their time with the program and best embodies Cooper's "Warrior" qualities.Â
- The three seniors leaving the program are Abby Darnley, Paige Maynard, and Paige Simpson. The team will also recognize Haleigh Adkins, Bella Gerlach, and Jules King, all of whom are receiving their degrees from Marshall University as well, with eligibility remaining following the 2026 season.
- The Herd's 83 home runs this year is a single-season program record and is 10th-most in the country. Sophomore Sydni Burko has 19 longballs this year, which is one from tying MU's individual single-season program mark.Â
- MU's pitching ranks 3rd in the SBC, with a team ERA of 2.96. With a trio of pitchers possessing 10 or more victories, Jules King leads the staff with 15 wins and 136 strikeouts, 4th in the league.
- For extended weekend game notes, view HERE.
ABOUT JMU
- JMU is 25-22 this season with an 11-10 SBC record. The Dukes are led by Head Coach Loren LaPorte in her 9th season, most notably taking the team to the 2021 College World Series.
- The Dukes have eight players hitting .300 or better this season, including the reigning SBC Player of the Week Payton List. List hit .500 for the week in the team's four wins last week, including two home runs in the JMU victory over No. 23 Virginia.
- The Herd is 8-5 all-time against the Dukes. After playing in Harrisonburg each of the last two seasons, Marshall will welcome JMU to Dot Hicks Field for the first time since the 2023 season.
For all the latest information about Marshall Softball, follow @HerdSB on Twitter and Instagram.
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