Marshall University center fielder Morgan Zerkle was awarded the National Fastpitch Coaches Association’s Golden Shoe last week. The award recognizes the most outstanding base stealer in NCAA Division I softball.

A committee comprised of Division I head coaches determined the winner of the award. Zerkle is the first student-athlete in the university’s history to earn the honor.

“This is a very deserving honor for an already impressive list of accolades ‘Z’ has received, only in her sophomore season,” Herd coach Shonda Stanton said in a news release. “She is a phenomenal student-athlete and an incredible representative of what Herd softball is all about: winning in the classroom, on the field and in the community. We are excited to see what future seasons hold for ‘Z’ because of her special talent combined with an uncompromising work ethic.”

Zerkle, who completed her sophomore season with the Herd in May, led Division I softball with 47 stolen bases, one shy of her own Marshall record of 48, which she set as a freshman in 2014.