Topic: H-I: Woodrum - Herd softball in semifinals after 4-0 shutout of UAB

[biggreenarms]

BOCA RATON, Fla. – Marshall softball (27-30) moved to the semifinals of the Conference USA Tournament with a six-hit, four-run fifth inning to shutout UAB (31-25) for the second consecutive season in the tournament, winning a 4-0 victory at FAU Stadium.

"I'm so happy for our student athletes," MU Coach Shonda Stanton said. "Our older kids have talked all year about being able to play in back-to-back-to-back championship games, and in order to do that you have to win the first game."

The Thundering Herd won the C-USA title last season, advancing to its first NCAA Tournament at the University of Kentucky and posting a win over Notre Dame.

Coming into the first-round game, UAB held a 15-11 overall advantage over Marshall, but in conference postseason, the Herd improves to a 3-0 all-time record over the Blazers (2012: 3-2 (10); 2013: 1-0), and the Blazers fall to 8-17 all-time in tournament play.

The Herd broke open the scoreless game in the top of the fifth with four runs. Junior Emileigh Cooper led the inning off with an infield single, but was called out on a fielder’s choice that allowed Kristina Braxton to reach base safely. The bases were quickly loaded with a bunt single from freshman Morgan Zerkle and slap single from Kaelynn Greene.

Two consecutive RBI singles from Shaelynn Braxton (3-for-4) and Savanah Webster (2-for-4) put two Marshall runs on the board, 2-0. Escareno (1-for-3) followed with a two-RBI single into left field to give the Herd a 4-0 advantage.

Freshman Jordan Dixon earned her 19th victory and struck out nine batters in today’s contest, throwing her fourth shutout of the season.

Greene pushed her and the Herd’s new single-season hits record to 79 hits total by going 2-for-4 in today's game.

Marshall played an errorless game, while UAB committed one error. The Herd outhit the Blazers 10-to-8.

The Herd will be back in the semifinals on Friday at 2 p.m. against No. 6 ECU, who also knocked off a higher seed in No. 3 FIU, 5-1, in the day's second game. No. 8 Charlotte and No. 1 seeded Tulsa were tied 0-0 in the bottom of the seventh innings before TU brought in the winning run to win the game in the seventh, 1-0. Tonight, No. 4 Florida Atlantic hosts No. 5 North Texas, about 30 minutes after the completion of the 49ers-Golden Hurricane contest.

http://www.goherd.com/marshall-headlines/2219-herd-softball-in-semifinals-after-4-0-shutout-of-uab