Memphis Drops Saturday Games in Home Opener

Saturday, March 4

Memphis, Tenn.

2 p.m.

University of Memphis

2-13

North Dakota State

8-9

NDSU

Memphis

Mar 04, 2023 | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The Memphis Tiger softball team dropped a close game against Drake Saturday night, falling 4-3, after their 15-4 loss to NDSU earlier in the afternoon. The Tigers (2-14) recorded seven runs over the two games to open play at the Tiger Softball Complex.

"I thought the offense should a good fight coming back in the first game and I was happy with the offense coming back in the second game," said head coach Stephanie VanBrakle Prothro. "We gave up two and then we came right back and scored two, and we had opportunities to win the game but we need to find ways to come through in the big situations."

"In the second game I was really proud of Hallie [Siems], three walks, no hit-by-pitches, no earned runs, that was a really good complete game for her." Said Prothro.

NDSU 15, Memphis 4

HOW IT HAPPENED

NDSU struck first as Aguilar hit a solo homerun to left field, followed by Chavarria hitting a three-run double in the top of the first inning.
The Bison recorded their fifth run of the game as Goetschius hit a sacrifice bunt in the top of the second inning.
NDSU added four more runs in the top of the second inning to go up 9-0.
After the Bison added another run in the top of the third inning, Presley Morris would reach base off a bunt into the pitcher's circle that NDSU's Vargas would misplay. Morris would get stranded at first, however, after back-to-back strikeouts.
NDSU put up four more runs in the top of the fourth inning with Aguilar recording her second homerun of the game.
Sam Ibison picked up the team's first hit of the game in the bottom half of the fourth inning when she hit a slow roller to third base. Ibison would advance to second off a throwing error from NDSU.
Madison Berner got in on the action as she hit a deep single to shortstop to put runners at the corners with no outs.
The Tigers would get on the board when Kendall Lee hit a double to deep left field to bring Ibison home. The very next batter, Aliana Zavala, smashed her third homerun of the season to cut the NDSU lead to 14-4.
The Bison added one more run in the top of the fifth inning to extend the lead 15-4.

NOTABLES

Zavala now leads the Tigers in homeruns this season with three.
The Tigers recorded a season-high four runs in the bottom of the fourth inning.
Hoschak got her first start going 0.2 innings, Adams came in as relief in the first inning and went 0.1 innings, followed by Dugar coming in the top of the second going 4.0 innings and recording 4 strikeouts.

Drake 4, Memphis 3

HOW IT HAPPENED

Drake struck first as Dighton reached on an error by third base allowing Rice to run home, followed by a single to center field bringing home Dighton in the top of the first inning.
Zavala hit a two-run double with the bases loaded down the right field line to even the score at 2-2 in the bottom of the first inning.
Meagan Chism smashed her first homerun of the season to left center, putting the Tigers up 3-2 in the bottom of the second. Lee dove for an unassisted double play at first base to end the top of the third inning, holding the Bulldogs scoreless. The Tigers would have two players left on base after back-to-back errors by Drake in the bottom of the frame.
Drake scored two more runs to take back the lead off a throwing error by Memphis from third to first base in the top of the fifth inning.

NOTABLES

Chism recorded her first homerun of the season.
Zavala now leads the Tigers with eight RBIs this season.
Siems got the start, going 7.0 innings and recording seven strikeouts and giving up four unearned runs.

UP NEXT

The Tigers will finish up their play in the Blues City Classic against SIUE, Sunday, March 5, at 2:00 p.m.

How to follow the Tigers: For complete information on Memphis Tigers Softball, visit www.GoTigersGo.com and follow the team's social media channels on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.