Marshall’s softball postseason hopes now rest in the hands of the NCAA selection committee.
Coastal Carolina broke open a scoreless game with a four-run fifth inning and shut out Marshall 6-0 in the Sun Belt Conference tournament quarterfinals Thursday at Lamson Park in Lafayette, Louisiana.
The loss marked Marshall’s third straight defeat and second consecutive shutout as the Thundering Herd (37-17) now waits to learn whether its regular-season resume is enough to secure an at-large berth to the NCAA Tournament on this Sunday.
Despite the late-season slide, Marshall entered the week with an RPI of 27, which is typically high enough to earn an at-large bid. The Herd’s resume consists of 26 Top-100 wins and four victories over Top-50 opponents.
However, it all depends on how conference tournaments play out.
“The Sun Belt is one of the top conferences,” said Marshall head coach Morgan Zerkle. “It shows no matter what team we’re facing all season long, it is so competitive and I think that gives us a real shot to compete against the best of the best. We started out in February competing against the best of the best, I think we have it in us to do it again.”
Marshall struggled offensively again Thursday, managing just one hit against Coastal Carolina pitcher Abby Henderson, who tossed a complete-game shutout with five strikeouts and five walks. Diamond Leslie accounted for Marshall’s lone hit with a first-inning single.
The Chanticleers (26-30) struck first in the opening inning when Georgia Hood launched a two-run home run to left field after Delaney Keith drew a leadoff walk.
Marshall had its best early opportunity in the first after Ava Blake walked and Leslie singled up the middle, but Coastal Carolina turned an inning-ending double play to escape the threat.
The Herd stayed within striking distance until the fifth inning when Coastal Carolina delivered the knockout blow. Brie Normandin opened the frame with a triple before Libby Pippin crushed a three-run homer to right field as part of a four-run inning that extended the lead to 6-0.
Marshall finished the game 0 for 4 with runners in scoring position and stranded five runners on base.
Jules King took the loss after allowing six runs on six hits over 4 1/3 innings, while Paige Maynard tossed two and two-thirds scoreless innings in relief.
Coastal Carolina moves on to face Texas State in Friday’s semifinals.
The defeat continued a difficult stretch for Marshall, which has dropped six of its last 10 games while being outscored 15-3 during its current three-game losing streak.
If the Herd does make the NCAA Tournament, Los Angeles is a likely landing spot for the regional tournament.