Marshall Softball and Baseball had very different endings to their weekend on Sunday, March 22, after facing Georgia Southern. Softball stayed on a winning streak with another strong performance while Baseball fell short despite a high-scoring game.

Softball closed out its weekend at home with a 9-3 win over Georgia Southern, completing a three-game sweep at Dot Hicks Field. The Herd improved to 22-9 overall and 5-1 in Sun Belt play, putting the team alone in first place in the conference standings after two weeks of conference competition.

Marshall’s offense was a large part of their win on Sunday. The Herd hit six home runs, tying a program record for the most in a single game. They also had 13 hits and made no errors in the field.

Chandler Hoskins helped set the tone early with a two-run home run to put Marshall on the board. Ava Blake followed with another home run, giving the Herd back-to-back home runs for the second time this season. Tia Titi, Sydni Burko, Diamond Leslie and Abby Darnley also added home runs in securing the win.

“Honestly, we just attack strikes and if we let one go we don’t do it again,” Hoskins said. “Us being able to adjust to what they were throwing and just taking the in and firing it over left field, it was just awesome to see.”

In the pitcher’s circle, Marshall got another solid performance from Jules King. King struck out six batters, which brought her season total to 89 and has her at fourth in the conference.

Head coach Morgan Zerkle said the team had an all-around great series turnout.

“Super fun weekend at the Dot,” Zerkle said. “Bats were hot, pitching was elite and defense was perfect.”

While Softball kept its momentum going at home, Baseball saw its unbeaten conference start come to an end in an 18-12 loss at Georgia Southern. The loss took the team to 13-9 overall and 5-1 in conference play.

The Herd started well and built an early 3-0 lead with help from a two-run single by Jackson Golden in the second inning and a solo home run by AJ Havrilla in the third.

Marshall powered through again in the top of the sixth inning with seven runs to move back in front 10-6.  Evan Bottone, Cleary Simpson, Oliver Service and Tyler Kamerer each brought in runs during that stretch, and Havrilla added a three-run home run.

Havrilla finished with three hits, two home runs and four RBIs, while Golden drove in three runs and added his first home run of the season in the top of the ninth.

Even with that offensive effort, Marshall could not keep Georgia Southern from crawling its way back up to them. The Eagles regained control in the later innings and pulled away with the win.

Head coach Greg Beals said Marshall’s pitching issues made it difficult to stay in the game.

“Today wasn’t our day,” Beals said. “We have to pitch the ball better than we did today in order to win. Fifteen free passes is way too many to win good baseball games. Offensively, I see our approach continue to grow which is encouraging.”

On Friday, Marshall Softball will travel to face Texas State and Baseball returns home to face No. 15 Coastal Carolina.

Ella Hatfield can be contacted at [email protected].