Marshall University Athletics
Marshall University
37-14, 17-5
JMU
25-23, 11-11
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | Runs R | Hits H | Errors E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| James Madison | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 7 | 0 |
| Marshall | 1 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | X | 7 | 11 | 1 |
Sydni Burko Sets Program’s Single-Season Home Run Record in Herd's 7-3 Victory
4/30/2026 9:37:00 PM | Softball
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — It can be officially described as 'historic' for the type of season Marshall sophomore Sydni Burko has had in her first year with her hometown Herd. The Cabell County native hit season home runs number 20 and 21 Thursday evening, setting the program's new single-season home run record. Burko's homers were two of the five MU hit in a 7-3 victory over JMU.
THE NEW SINGLE-SEASON HOME RUN RECORD HOLDER, SYDNI BURKO!!! 👑 pic.twitter.com/XRnYYUBGL6
— Marshall Softball (@HerdSB) April 30, 2026
"It is such a blessing, but I think it is a testament to all our coaches do and pour in to us," said Burko. "Also my teammates, they push me in practice, they make me better. It is such a great feeling and I give all the glory to God."
The Herd (37-14, 17-5 SBC) will head into Friday at least with a share of the league lead with ULM. Fellow double-digit home run hitters this season Ava Blake (17), Bella Gerlach (14), and Diamond Leslie (10) poured in on the offensive onslaught for Coach Zerkle's Herd which has now hit five or more in a game three times this season.
"It was nice to see our offense come alive, I did think we were going to be a good matchup for their pitching," said Coach Zerkle. "It was nice to see that come to fruition with a lot of firepower in the lineup and then for Burko to get the record was really fun for her to do at home in her hometown."
For more from Coach Zerkle and Burko, view HERE.
Marshall had 11 hits, the 14th time this season with 10 or more in a game. Blake, Burko, and Haleigh Adkins all had multi-hit games.
The runs came in support of starter Jules King, who pitched a complete game with eight strikeouts. King's 16th win in the circle this season is the most by a Herd pitcher since 2023.
M5 | 3 up, 3 down in the Dukes' 5th!
— Marshall Softball (@HerdSB) April 30, 2026
Marshall 6, JMU 1 pic.twitter.com/54siHAG3jT
UP NEXT
Game two between the Herd and Dukes is set for 5 p.m. Friday. The Emileigh Cooper Warrior Award presentation will take place before the game at approximately 4:45 p.m.
For all the latest information about Marshall Softball, follow @HerdSB on Twitter and Instagram.
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Team Stats
Pitching:
W: King, Jules (16-6)
L: Taylor Johnson (7-8)
Batting:
HR: Payton List 1 ; Emma Jo Evans 2
RBI: Payton List 1 ; Emma Jo Evans 2
SH: Kylee Gleason 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Payton List 1 ; Emma Jo Evans 2
HBP: Bella Henzler 1
Batting:
2B: Adkins, Haleigh 1
HR: Burko, Sydni 2 ; Blake, Ava 1 ; Leslie, Diamond 1 ; Gerlach, Bella 1
RBI: Burko, Sydni 3 ; Blake, Ava 2 ; Leslie, Diamond 1 ; Gerlach, Bella 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Burko, Sydni 3 ; Blake, Ava 1 ; Leslie, Diamond 1 ; Gerlach, Bella 1 ; Adkins, Haleigh 1
SB: Turner, Sydney 1
