Feb. 17, 2013

 Box Score | Box Score

 

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	R	H	E
North Dakota State (4-6)	0	0	0	0	0	4	0	4	4	2
Memphis (2-8)	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	1	2	3

 

 

Hitting Leaders
	Hits	Runs	RBI
Laura Curtis	1	1	0
Morgan Mosby	1	0	0

 

 

Pitching Leaders
	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	AB	BF	NP
Sara Pearson	1.0	1	0	0	3	0	3	6	28
Jordan Richwood	4.1	0	2	2	6	5	11	18	93
Ellen Roberts	1.2	3	2	0	0	1	10	10	28

BATON ROUGE, La. - A four-run sixth by North Dakota State erased an early advantage by the University of Memphis softball team in a 4-1 loss to end the LSU Purple & Gold Championship on Sunday morning.

The Tigers (2-8) had a short turnaround after finishing its game with No. 10 LSU after 11 p.m. on Saturday and then playing the 10 a.m. game on Sunday.

The Memphis pitching staff battled adversity in the first couple of innings. Amber Lindahl threw out her eighth batter trying to steal after a leadoff walk to start the game. She threw out two runners in the game giving her nine runners caught stealing out of 13 attempts. Later in the first, Laura Curtis threw Alex Sobrero out at the plate for the third out trying to score on a dropped popup on the left side.

In the second inning, North Dakota State loaded the bases on two walks and a bunt single to begin the frame. Jordan Richwood entered in relief of Sara Pearson. After giving up a walk to load the bases, Richwood struck out the side to end the inning scoreless.

Memphis took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the fourth inning. Curtis hit a two-out double to left field. Jaye Smith followed with a ground ball to second that was bobbled on the transfer allowing Curtis to score from second.

The Bison scored four runs in the top sixth to take a 4-1 lead. Walks to two of the first three batters brought in Ellen Roberts in a save opportunity. But pinch hitter Jenina Ortega lined the first pitch down the left line for a bases clearing double to give NDSU its first lead. Katie Soukup then scored on a dropped ball error at first base after a controversial obstruction call at the plate. Logan Moreland drove in the fourth run with a single through the left side to score Brandi Enriquez.

Richwood (1-2) suffered the loss after giving up two runs in four and a third innings of relief. She allowed no hits with five strikeouts, but walked six. Whitney Johnson (3-2) earned the victory for NDSU.

Memphis returns home to host the annual Blues City Classic running from Friday-Sunday, February 22-24. The tournament will feature 12 teams and be played at Greenbrook Park in Southaven, Miss.

Game Notes

• Amber Lindahl threw out her eighth steal attempt in the first inning and her ninth to end the fifth inning. She is now 9-for-13 in throwing runners out attempting to steal. She has thrown out a school career record 33 runners. It is the eighth time she has thrown out two runners in a game and third time this year.
• Leilani Bernardino moved into a tie for sixth in school history for career walks with 57 after drawing a walk in the third inning. She ties Heather Mott (2007-11).
• Bernardino moved into sole possession of sixth place in school history for career stolen bases with 23. She stole her second base of the season in the third inning. She moves ahead of Alyssa Palmieri who finished with 22 steals from 2009-12.
• Laura Curtis hit her team-leading fourth double of the season in the fourth inning. It is the eighth of her career.
• Curtis scored her third run of the season in the fourth inning, putting her in a tie for the team lead. She now has 22 runs scored in her career.
• Jordan Richwood struck out a career high five batters in the game. It is the first time this season she has struck out five or more and the 11th time in her career.