After winning the first game of the four-game series with Middle Tennessee, the Marshall softball team lost its next three games against the Blue Raiders, starting the conference season 1-3.

Pitching was a struggle for Marshall, as the Herd gave up 4, 9, 9 and 6 runs in the four-game series, respectively.

Senior pitcher Megan Stauffer – a pitching bright spot – came on in relief of senior Laney Jones in the second inning of game one and gave up only one run in 5.1 innings.

Offensively, freshman catcher Kat Sackett was a big factor in game one, hitting two three run home runs and six RBIs to propel the Herd to its lone victory of the weekend.

In game two, the Herd lost 9-8 in a tightly contested, 10 inning game.

Senior first baseman Aly Harrell hit a two-run home run in game two, making it the 35th of her career. That mark tied for second all-time in program history with teammate Mya Stevenson and Shaelynn Braxton (2013-15, ’17).

Harrell then hit another two-run homer in game three, placing her in sole possession of second place all-time.

The two-run homer in game three came while trailing 8-0, and it sparked a rally attempt from the Herd. However, the Herd could not overcome the early deficit, losing 9-5.

Marshall fell short again Sunday, losing the final game against MTSU 6-2.

Once again, a slow start cost the Herd, trailing 5-0 after four innings.

Marshall would go on to score its only two runs of the game in the fifth inning when junior left fielder Grace Chelemen brought in redshirt senior third baseman Blakely Burch on a sacrifice fly and Harrell batted in senior second baseman Armani Brown on a double.

The Herd will take on the Florida Atlantic Owls for a four-game series on April 16-18 at Dot Hicks Field. The games will take place on Friday (1 p.m.), Saturday (1 p.m. and 3 p.m.), and Sunday (12 p.m.). All four games are scheduled to air on WMUL-FM 88.1.

Noah Hickman can be contacted at [email protected].