For Marshall softball, it came down to win, watch and wish in the Sun Belt Conference finale Saturday at Dot Hicks Field.
James Madison made parts two and three moot when it blanked theThundering Herd, 5-0, in front of 690 disappointed fans.
The loss, coupled with Louisiana Monroe’s 1-0 home win over Southern Mississippi in the first game of a doubleheader, clinched the SBC regular-season championship for the Warhawks.
With its second series loss of the season and two straight home defeats for the first time, the Herd is 37-16 overall and 17-7 in Sun Belt play. That’s good for second place in the league and secures a No. 2 seed going into the league tournament starting Wednesday in Lafayette, La.
The Herd pounded out 11 hits and five home runs in Thursday’s 5-3 win. The next two games, Marshall had five total hits.
“Tough losses,” Marshall coach Morgan Zerkle said. “I’m heartbroken for this group of seniors. We’ve been so close all year long to getting it done. Thankfully we have more ball to play at the tournament next week. I don’t think anyone would be excited to see us on their side of the bracket. Hopefully we can play up to our level.”
James Madison (27-23, 13-11 SBC) took the lead for good in the second on Cali Legzdin’s solo homer to left.
The Herd had a chance to tie it in the bottom of the inning, but on a double-steal try, Paige Simpson broke for home, Madison Edwards got the throw from catcher Bella Henzler and fired back to her to retire a sliding Simpson. The call got reviewed and stood for the third out.
James Madison scored twice in the third. The Dukes had a runner cut down at home on a strong throw by Herd centerfielder Diamond Leslie. An appeal was made and the out call got reversed. The second run came home on a wild pitch.
Edwards belted a two-run homer off reliever Jules King in the seventh to hike the lead to 5-0. Just like Friday, Kirsten Fleet was penciled in to start, but Payton List (9-12) went to the hill instead. She went the distance for the third time this season. The righthander, who walked six in four-plus innings Friday, issued six free passes Saturday.
“The Thursday matchup with a lefty going was in our favor,” Zerkle said. “Today the barrels are to the right and going away from us. We didn’t make adjustments timing wise. Unfortunately we chased a lot. There are more adjustments to be made.”
Marshall had three seniors honored in pregame ceremonies. Abby Darnley, Simpson and pitcher Paige Maynard who started and went 2.1 innings, got photos with their jersey and flowers. One parent from each senior teammed to perform the first pitch. The Herd also presented flowers to the James Madison seniors.
James Madison finished with 10 hits. Kylee Gleason went 3-for-4 to lead the way.
The Dukes made a key defensive play in the sixth to keep the Herd scoreless. After a pair of walks, Bella Gerlach hit a low liner to shortstop. Kendra Lewis knocked the ball down, fired to third for a force out and Kira Ortego then hummed the ball to second for a force/double play. That call got reviewed and stood.
The Dukes will play their SBC quarterfinal Thursday. Seed, time and opponent are to be determined.
Zerkle hated to see the seniors go out with a loss on Senior Weekend. However, she believes the setback will provide motivation in Lafayette.
“Abby (Emileigh Cooper Warrior Award winner) was here four years,” Zerkle said. She was a leader for us and is now on the leadership committee. Paige (Maynard) did good things. Paige (Simpson) came in and made an impact. They’re special and made an impact on our younger group. We do have a good group of sophomores.
“Of course they’reupset. We did have glimpses at bat much better today than yesterday. We have to string some more stuff together.”