BOCA RATON, Fla. — Marshall began the defense of its Conference USA tournament championship with a 4-0 upset over second-seeded UAB on Thursday.
Marshall (27-30) ran its all-time postseason record to 3-0 against UAB (31-25) and secured a spot in the semifinals.
“I’m so happy for our student athletes,” 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 Herd scored all its runs in a fifth-inning rally. Marshall loaded the bases with one out, setting the table for back-to-back two-run singles by Shaelynn Braxton and Savanah Webster.
That was more than enough for Herd pitcher Jordan Dixon, who was masterful in the circle. Dixon struck out nine and walked just one in the complete-game win.
Sophomore Kaelynn Greene pushed the Herd’s single-season hits record to 79 by going 2-for-4.
Marshall plays again Friday at 1:45 p.m.