Marshall University Athletics
Marshall University
38-19
#12 Duke
41-15
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | Runs R | Hits H | Errors E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Duke | 0 | 6 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 11 | 14 | 0 |
| Marshall | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 0 |
Marshall Softball’s Historic 2026 Season Ends at NCAA Tournament
5/16/2026 9:38:00 PM | Softball
DURHAM, N.C. – Marshall Softball earned its third NCAA Tournament win in program history with a 4-2 win over Howard on Saturday, but saw its season end in the nightcap as the Herd fell to #12 Duke in the elimination final at Smith Family Stadium, 11-1.
With the loss, Marshall's season comes to an end at 38-19.
"Really proud of this team for the entirety of the season and what became of this team," said Coach Zerkle. "The second game today was not our best outing clearly but we are proud of this group for getting here and setting a new standard for Marshall that hopefully we will be back every year."
For more from Zerkle, Sydni Burko, and Abby Darnley, view HERE.
First Game: Marshall 4, Howard 2
Marshall Softball earned its first win in the Durham Regional of the NCAA Tournament in the team's afternoon opener at Smith Family Stadium.
With the win, Marshall advanced to the elimination final in Saturday's nightcap where they matched up with host Duke, who fell to Arizona in the day's first game.
Marshall took its first lead in the contest in the bottom of the 4th when senior Abby Darnley lined a two-run home run just over the out-stretched glove of Howard's Maryn Jordan to put the Herd up 4-2.
Paige Maynard came in during the 5th inning and kept the Bison at bay over the final three frames to pick up the lengthy save for the Herd.
In the top of the 5th, Howard threatened to cut into the deficit with two runners on and no outs, but Maynard came into relieve starter Maddie Veal and induced a grounder back to the circle that turned into an inning-ending double play after batter-runner interference on a subsequent throw home by Bella Gerlach.
For the second straight day, Gerlach also finished with a pair of hits for the Herd offense.
Howard took a 2-0 lead after a pair of unearned runs, but Burko launched her 24th home run of the season to left field in the bottom of the third to tie the game up.
The 24 home runs tied Burko for the fourth-most in Sun Belt single-season history and gave her the 2026 lead in the Sun Belt as well.
"In softball you have your ups and downs but for me just learning to stay humble when you are having that success but finding that grace still when maybe you're struggling or whatever it might be," said Burko. "I think sticking together as a team has been big for us, knowing that we can play carefree because we have that trust in each other."
Veal limited Howard's lineup throughout, scattering five hits while not allowing an earned run in her appearance.
Second Game: #13 Duke 11, Marshall 1 (5 Innings)
A six-run 2nd inning all with two outs was enough to sink the Herd in the elimination game. Starter Paige Maynard got consecutive outs after three-straight singles to open the frame for the Blue Devils, including her lone strikeout. But a grand slam and a second home run to follow put the game out of reach.
Senior Paige Simpson got Marshall on the board with an RBI double in her final career at-bat, scoring Sydney Turner. Between Maynard, Simpson, and Darnley, the three graduating seniors all finished their Marshall careers on positive notes.
"Our team chemistry has been amazing and it has been awesome to be part of this team," said Darnley. "It is great to be able to depend on other people in the lineup when you're having a hard day. Honestly just playing the game and loving the game, I have had the honor of playing this game with people I love. I hope the returners take that in years to come."
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: Jacquez, Larissa (6-5)
L: Maynard, Paige (10-8)
Batting:
3B: Jones, Tyrina 1
HR: Jennings, D'Auna 1 ; Oakland, Jessica 1 ; Shadek, Gabriella 1
RBI: Jennings, D'Auna 4 ; Oakland, Jessica 2 ; Vega, Aminah 1 ; Jones, Tyrina 1 ; Shadek, Gabriella 3
Base Running:
RUNS: Mathis, KK 1 ; Jennings, D'Auna 1 ; Oakland, Jessica 1 ; Vega, Aminah 2 ; Collins, London 1 ; Lamar, Layla 1 ; Krueger, Ariel 1 ; Matthews, Adelyn 1 ; Shadek, Gabriella 2
Batting:
2B: Simpson, Paige 1
RBI: Simpson, Paige 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Turner, Sydney 1
