Huntington Times

Fourth Inning Flurry Lifts Marshall to Season-Opening Win

The Marshall softball team opened its 2023 season with an 8-1 win over Portland State Friday afternoon. Pitcher Sydney Nester earned her first win of the year in the circle with a complete-game performance. 

"Excited to see the team come out and play someone other than themselves," Marshall softball head coach Megan Smith Lyon said. "I think we had a lot of nerves at first but we settled in nicely and had a really solid game all the way around."

With the Herd down a run, Bub Feringa started the rally in the 4th with a walk. Pinch-runner Brooklyn Ulrich would come around to score on a throwing error from the PSU catcher to level the scoring.  Feringa - who celebrated her birthday on Friday, would drive in two runs with an RBI hit later in the contest.  

The 4th inning rally continued with freshman Aaliyah Crews. The freshman stepped up in a pinch-hitting role to deliver a two-run RBI double to the right center gap, giving Marshall the lead. 

"When Coach Smith called my name, I knew I had to go out there and do something," Crews said. "My teammates are amazing, [Marshall] feels like home, and I know I have a family behind me."

Two more would score in the inning on a Sydney Bickel double to complete the five-run fourth.

The provided runs were more than enough for Nester. The reigning conference pitcher of the year struck out eight, while scattering five hits with no earned runs allowed.

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