Feb. 14, 2009

Box Score

Box Score Game 1
Box Score Game 2

For Immediate Release
Contact: Brandon Kolditz
wkolditz@memphis.edu, (901) 871-5475

Alcorn State (2-5) 000 200 0  -  2  3  4
Memphis (3-3)      020 400 x  -  6  4  2
W - Valle (1-2), L - Hatch (1-1)

Alcorn State  000    20  -   2  4  8
Memphis       00(10) 00  -  10  7  1
W - Walle (1-0), L - Lewis (1-3)

MEMPHIS - The University of Memphis softball team earned a pair of victories in its home opener on Saturday at the Tiger Softball Complex, sweeping a doubleheader with Alcorn State, 10-2 and 6-2.

The Tigers (3-3) used a couple big innings led by key hits and a few costly errors to put the Lady Braves away. Twelve Alcorn State errors contributed to the 16 Memphis runs on the day and helped the Tigers bring 10 runs across the plate in the third inning of game one.

"We were able to score runs and put them in position where they couldn't handle it as well as they thought they could," said Memphis freshman outfielder Kamri Chester. "We did a great job of just putting it on them and just keep putting it on them."

The U of M scored all 10 of its runs in game one in the third inning off five hits and seven ASU miscues. Sophomore Heather Mott knocked in four runs in the inning with two triples, including a bases loaded triple down the right field line. The two triples are a program single game record.

"We have a lot of offensive potential," Memphis head coach Windy Thees said. "We have got some team speed. We've got some power. We finally put it together, and we were able to get the inning going. We were able to force some errors, and they made some mistakes for us that kept our inning going and I really like to see that.

"I hate to see all my runs in one inning though because we didn't score runs the rest of the time," Thees continued. "As a coach that is a concern for me and to be able to apply pressure for seven, not just for one inning."

Junior transfer Vanessa Walle (1-0) earned the victory in her debut with the Tigers. The Phoenix, Ariz., native allowed two unearned runs on four hits and struck out five in four innings. She also went 1-for-3 at the plate with an RBI. Michelle Lewis (1-3) suffered the loss for Alcorn State.

Chester went 2-for-2 in the game with an RBI and a run scored and went 4-for-5 in the series with two RBI and three runs scored.

In the second game, Memphis took a 2-0 lead in the second inning as Chester scored the first run on a double by senior Tori Gross. Gross stole home to score the second run.

After Alcorn State tied the game at two in the top of the fourth inning, the Tigers scored four runs in the bottom half of the inning to put the game away. Three Lady Braves' miscues and two Memphis hits resulted in the big inning for the U of M.

Sophomore Janelle Valle (1-2) earned her first victory of the game after allowing three hits in seven innings and striking out five. Jennie Hatch (1-1) took the loss after giving up three earned runs on four hits and striking out three.

Memphis will look to continue its winning streak as the team travels to Middle Tennessee for a midweek doubleheader in Murfreesboro, Tenn., on Tuesday beginning at 2 p.m. The Tigers will then travel to Atlanta, Ga., to compete in the K-State Classic hosted by Kennesaw State on February 20-22.

"There are flashes of brilliance on our team," Thees said. "There are flashes of what this team could do and could be and it is really exciting, but we have to put it together and we have to play seven consistent innings with good focus. Every single hitter has to have a good approach."