Feb. 22, 2009

Box Score

PDF Box Score

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

Memphis (6-7)  000 100 0  -  1  6  4
Miami (4-5)    200 000 x  -  2  6  0
W: Simpson (2-2) L: Valle (2-4)
HR: MEM - Gross (2)

KENNESAW, Ga. - Miami (Ohio) University held onto a two-run first inning lead, as the University of Memphis softball team dropped a 2-1 contest in the final game of the K-Club Classic on Sunday.

Senior Tori Gross hit her second solo home run in as many days for the U of M (6-7) to cut the lead to one in the fourth inning, but the RedHawks (4-5) held the Tigers scoreless the remaining three innings despite Memphis hitting two triples.

Memphis failed to tie the game in the fifth inning after junior Leigh Rowan hit a one-out pinch hit triple to right field. The Tigers then had another scoring opportunity in the top of the seventh after a two-out pinch hit triple to right field by freshman Jessica Phillips, but struck out to end the game.

After allowing two runs on three hits in the opening inning, sophomore Janelle Valle found her groove and held Miami scoreless the remainder of the game. Valle (2-4) finished with five strikeouts in six innings and no walks.

The RedHawks threatened to increase their lead in the fifth inning. Freshman Jordan McElroy led off the inning with a line drive to right field that senior Brittany Gooch made a spectacular catch near the warning track despite the swirling wind.

A Memphis error and a double by sophomore Meghan Mawn, who went 3-for-3 in the game, put runners on second and third with one out. But sophomore Heather Mott threw out sophomore Kathryn Russette attempting to score on a ground ball deep in the hole at short. Valle then got junior Sarah Billstrom to strike out swinging to end the inning.

Miami scored its two runs in the first inning after back-to-back singles by Russette and Mawn and a throwing error put runners at second and third with one out. Sophomore Jenna McGivney knocked in the first run on a sacrifice fly to left and Billstrom brought around the second run with a two-out triple to right field.

Freshman Jessica Simpson (2-2) earned the victory for Miami, allowing one run on six hits and striking out seven.

Memphis went 1-4 in the tournament hosted by Kennesaw State. The Tigers next play a doubleheader at Arkansas-Pine Bluff on Thursday before hosting the third annual Blues City Classic beginning on Friday.