Marshall hasn't had much luck against Effingham recently, but that could start to change on Thursday. The Lions will welcome the Hearts at 4:30 p.m. Marshall will come into the matchup with an undefeated record on the line.
Marshall proved they can win big on Friday (they won by 18) and on Tuesday they proved they can win the close ones too. They won by a run and slipped past Robinson 4-3. The four-run effort marked the Lions' lowest-scoring game of the season, but in the end it didn't matter.
The team relied heavily on Lynn Welborn, who scored two runs and stole three bases while getting on base in four of her six plate appearances. That's the most stolen bases she has posted since back in April of 2024. Another player making a difference was McKenzie Davis, who went 1-for-5 with one home run and two RBI.
Meanwhile, Effingham was not the first on the board last Wednesday, but they got there more often. They narrowly escaped with a victory as the squad sidled past Salem 8-7.
Natalie Armstrong was a major factor no matter where she played. She looked comfortable on the mound, striking out six batters over seven innings while giving up three earned (and four unearned) runs off eight hits (and not a single walk). She has been consistent recently: she hasn't given up more than two walks any time she's pitched this season. She was also solid in the batter's box, going 2-for-4 with two RBI and one double.
In other batting news, Effingham let Madi Kirk and Saige Althoff run wild. Kirk went 1-for-3 with one triple, two RBI, and one run, while Althoff scored three runs and stole three bases.
Effingham now has a winning record of 2-1. As for Marshall, they pushed their record up to 7-0 with the win, which was their 12th straight at home dating back to last season.
Effingham's pitching crew has a crucial task ahead of them: Marshall has hit smart this season, having averaged an OBP of .459. It's a different story for Effingham, though, as they've only averaged .344. Will they be able to contain Marshall's hitters?
Marshall might still be hurting after the 15-5 loss they got from Effingham in their previous meeting back in March of 2024. Will the Lions have more luck at home instead of on the road? Check back here after the action for a full breakdown and analysis of the contest.
