For Marshall University junior Ava Blake, the memories that have shaped her softball career and her as a person extend far beyond statistics or personal accolades.
While she has experienced countless special moments on the diamond, it’s her character and her will to compete that sets a high standard for the term student-athlete. Blake recalls the excitement of celebrating with her teammates after winning the West Virginia State Championship at John Marshall High School after months of hard work, sacrifice, and determination paid off.
“I remember that year very well,” Blake commented. “That year meant everything to me and more.”
A championship trophy her junior season wasn’t just about winning a state championship; it was about the friendships, the community, and the trust in one another that were strengthened by the lessons learned through adversity. It also was about the realization that every early morning workout and extra practice had been worth it.
That experience continues to motivate her today as she wears the green and white of the Thunder Herd of Marshall University, reminding her that championships are earned one practice, one game, and one rep at a time.
As Blake continued her softball journey, she found another source of inspiration in Marshall Head Coach Morgan Zerkle.
“Coach Zerkle’s commitment to her players and to the state of West Virginia is evident every single day,” she explained. “Coach Zerkle is loyal; she’s loyal to her team, loyal to her players, and loyal to this state. She wants to win, and she wants to win here at Marshall.”
Guidance from the Top
One phrase the team hears often from Coach Zerkle is: “Iron Sharpens Iron.”
That’s why Blake complimented her coach even further.
“She’s one of the smartest women I’ve ever met. It’s not just softball; it’s everything,” she said. “I do everything I can to soak in everything she says.”
Blake says every practice is competitive because each player understands that helping a teammate improve ultimately makes the entire team stronger. The expectation is to compete with intensity while supporting one another, preparing everyone for the challenges they’ll face during the season.
“We push each other to be better; we lean on one another,” she insisted. “We are one team, with one goal.“
Last season, Blake made her first collegiate start on February 6 against UConn. The Herd dominated the Huskies on their way to a 10-1 victory in Tallahassee in the first game of the JoAnn Graf Classic.
Blake went 2-for-3 in the game with 2 RBI and scored two runs. Blake shared her experience on her first college start.
“Coach called me into the office and told me I was starting at DP in our first game,” she recalled. “I wanted to contribute and when Coach gave me this opportunity, I was ready.”
Marshall is coming off of a fantastic season that saw them return to the NCAA for the first time since 2017. Adding another remarkable achievement to this historic run, the Thundering Herd achieved a #20 national ranking during the season, their first time back in the rankings since 2017.
During the 2026 campaign, Blake made 56 starts for the Herd, maintaining a .307 batting average while driving in 41 runs and blasting 17 home runs.
As a junior Criminal Justice major, she understands that while hard work and preparation are important, some things are simply outside of her control. Rather than worrying about outcomes and negativity from others, Blake chooses to trust God’s plan for her life.
Whether she experiences victory or defeat, she believes every opportunity is part of His purpose.
“At the end of the day, it’s God’s will,” Blake said. “I feel I have a calling to build people up, be a strong woman, and the best I can be. God has a purpose.”
That perspective allows her to compete with confidence instead of fear, knowing her identity isn’t defined by wins, losses, or statistics. Ava is a strong advocate for women in sports and a huge supporter of the growth in women’s sports.
The lasting impact that she’s already made on others will just continue to grow.
“I want to thank everyone back in the Ohio Valley for all the continued support,” she said. “Playing here at Marshall, the Huntington community surrounds us and we feel that support both here and back home.”
With some rules and regulation changes in the NCAA and the elimination of the “red shirt,” Ava has three years of eligibility remaining. She will graduate in the Spring of 2027 after just three years as an undergrad, with a Criminal Justice degree and will pursue a Masters Degree in Criminal Justice.
