HUNTINGTON òòò½ÊÓƵ” Morgan Zerkle landed Haleigh Adkins twice.
Adkins transferred from Miami (Ohio) University to Marshall Wednesday. The standout infielder was recruited to the Redhawks out of Lincoln County High School by Zerkle, who was an assistant at Miami before taking the head coaching job at Marshall before last season.
òòò½ÊÓƵœItòòò½ÊÓƵ™s been a while since Iòòò½ÊÓƵ™ve gotten to coach this one,òòò½ÊÓƵ Zerkle said of Adkins, a two-time Class AAA first-team all-state selection. òòò½ÊÓƵœFull circle moment getting her to come back to the Herd.òòò½ÊÓƵ
Adkins has four seasons of eligibility. She appeared in seven games last season, going 0 for 6 at the plate for a veteran team that was 49-9 overall, 26-1 in winning the Mid-American Conference title. The Redhawks went three games deep in the NCAA regional tournament and were ranked in the top 25.
As a senior in high school, Adkins led a powerful Lincoln County team (22-5) with a .524 batting average. Her .618 on base percentage was second only to Indiana University signee Josie Birdòòò½ÊÓƵ™s .657. Adkins stole a team-best 37 bases. She also topped the Panthers in runs scored with 46 and hits with 43. Adkinsòòò½ÊÓƵ™ .792 slugging percentage was third on the team behind Birdòòò½ÊÓƵ™s 1.176 and Louisiana Tech signee Ryleigh Shullòòò½ÊÓƵ™s .792. Adkinsòòò½ÊÓƵ™ 10 doubles trailed only Shullòòò½ÊÓƵ™s 15. A shortstop, Adkins fielded .929.
As a sophomore, Adkins batted .475 with a team best 16 doubles, two triples, six home runs, 25 RBIs, 46 runs, and 24 stolen bases.
òòò½ÊÓƵœI worked with Haleigh when I was an athlete in college myself,òòò½ÊÓƵ said Zerkle, who starred as a player at Marshall. òòò½ÊÓƵœIòòò½ÊÓƵ™ve always believed in her. and Iòòò½ÊÓƵ™m happy she decided to come back home so I can help her continue to grow. Thereòòò½ÊÓƵ™s no reason the best players from West Virginia shouldnòòò½ÊÓƵ™t be at Marshall.òòò½ÊÓƵ
A three-time team captain, Adkins holds program records for single-season batting average, doubles and triple.
Tim Stephens is a sports writer with The Herald-Dispatch.
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