March 7, 2009

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Game 1 Box Score
Game 2 Box Score

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

Game Two
Memphis (10-10, 0-2)  001 210  -   4   6  1
UTEP (13-11, 2-0)     325 011  -  12  16  0
W: Mayer (1-1) L: Valle (4-5)
HR: UTEP-Troupe, Carrera

Game One
Memphis  300 007 2  -  12  10  2
UTEP     201 218 x  -  14  15  9
W: Curran (5-3) L: Walle (2-4) SV: Townsend (2)
HR: UTEP-Troupe, Carrera

EL PASO, Texas - The University of Memphis softball team opened Conference USA play on Saturday with two losses to UTEP at Helen of Troy Field. The Tigers (10-10, 0-2) fell 14-12 in game one and 12-4 in six innings in the nightcap.

The Tigers scored 12 runs on 10 hits in game one, but fell 14-12 despite nine errors committed by UTEP. Memphis began the game with a 3-0 lead and had a four run lead after a seven-run sixth, but failed to hold on.

After Memphis scored three runs in the opening frame on two hits and three errors, the Miners tied the game with two runs in the bottom of the inning and a run in the third. UTEP then took a three-run lead into the sixth inning, scoring two in the fourth and one in the fifth.

The Tigers batted around in the top of the sixth, scoring seven runs on five hits and four errors to take a 10-6 advantage. But UTEP countered in the bottom of the inning with eight runs on seven hits to lead by four heading into the final inning.

Memphis scored two runs in the top of the seventh and had the tying run on second, but the Miner's Stacie Townsend struck out the final two batters to end the game.

Freshman Kamri Chester led the team in the game with a 2-for-4 performance. The outfielder hit a two-run triple in the sixth inning and scored a run. Seniors Brittany Gooch, Tori Gross and junior Vanessa Walle also had two-hit outings. Gross scored three runs and tied a career high with two stolen bases.

Chelsea Trouple led the Miners, hitting 4-for-5 with four RBI and three runs scored, and Camilla Carrera went 3-for-4 with three RBI and two runs scored.

Walle (2-4) took the loss for Memphis, allowing six earned runs on 10 hits with five strikeouts in four innings of work. The Tigers used all four of its pitchers in the game.

Kelly Curran (5-3) earned the win, allowing three runs on three hits in an inning of relief. Townsend made her second save of the season.

In game two, UTEP jumped to a 5-0 lead with three runs in the first inning and two in the second.

Memphis scored a run in the third inning. After a leadoff triple by freshman Lelani Bernardino, senior Leandra Hines knocked in the run with a single to right field.

But the Miners answered with five runs in the bottom of the third to increase its lead to nine.

A double by freshman Jessica Phillips in the fourth inning scored two runs for Memphis. After walks to Gross and Maddie McKinley, Phillips hit the two-out double to right field. Chester later knocked in the fourth run for the Tigers in the fifth inning with a single up the middle to score senior Leila Dolfo.

The Miners scored runs in the fifth and sixth innings. Carrera hit her second home run of the day to lead off the fifth inning and Troupe hit a walk-off double in the sixth inning as UTEP earned the eight-run rule victory.

Sophomore Janelle Valle (4-5) took the loss for Memphis and Chelsea Mayer (1-1) earned the victory.

Memphis and UTEP will play the final contest of the three-game series on Sunday at noon (MST) at Helen of Troy Field.