The Marshall University baseball team split a doubleheader with Quinnipiac, dropping the first game, 8-3 and bouncing back to take game two, 7-3 on Friday afternoon at Watson Stadium as part of the Caravelle Resort Invitational hosted by Coastal Carolina.
Game 1: Quinnipiac 8, Marshall 3
The Marshall University baseball team held a 3-1 lead through five and a half innings, but the advantage quickly evaporated as Quinnipiac scored six times in the bottom of the sixth to defeat the Thundering Herd, 8-3.
MU scored three times in the top of the second, highlighted by RBI singles from Kenny Socorro and Ben Jurevicius and looked to be in control in the first game of the doubleheader.
Herd starter Shane Farrell’s start was spoiled as the junior righthander worked the first five innings and was in line for his second victory when he departed. He allowed just one earned run on four hits, with three walks and four strikeouts.
QU’s Kyle Birdsall (1-0) earned the victory, tossing the first six innings, giving up three runs (two earned) on six hits with five strikeouts.
Game 2: Marshall 7, Quinnipiac 3
James Lavinskas was a perfect 4-for-4 at the plate and freshman Hunter May earned the win in his first collegiate start as the Herd rebounded and captured game two, 7-3.
After spotting QU a run in the top of the first, MU answered with sac flies off the bat of both Rhett and Gray Stafford to hold a 2-1 edge after two innings of play.
The Bobcats threatened in the top of the seventh, with the Herd leading 5-2 when they made the sacks packed by stringing together three-straight singles with two down against reliever Josh King. DH Zak Palmer hit what appeared to be a two-run single to rightfield, but second baseman Victor Ramos made a diving stop in the hole to keep the lead intact and eventually earn the twinbill split.
Lavinskas roped three doubles and scored three runs, while Victor Gomez and Ramos each smacked two hits each. Socorro added some insurance runs with a two-run single in the bottom of the eighth, which extended his hit streak to eight games on the season.
The right arm of May (1-0) was impressive on the MU bump, logging the first five innings, giving up two earned runs on seven hits with four punch outs.
Ian Kadish recorded the final three outs of the game and pulled a baseball statistic rarity – he struck out four batters in one inning.