March 11, 2006

Final Stats

Game 1 Box Score in PDF Format
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Game 2 Box Score in PDF Format
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Memphis         000 010 00  -  1  4 2
UAB             000 001 01  -  2 10 0


Memphis         000 200 0  -  3  8 1
UAB             111 005 x  -  8 10 1

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The Memphis softball team again had trouble putting runs on the board and the pitching could not hold-off the UAB offense, as the U of M dropped a grueling 2-1 in decision in eight innings before falling 8-3 in game two of the Conference USA double-header.

Memphis put up a tough battle in the first game of the day, taking a one-run lead into the sixth inning. UAB, however, plated a run in the bottom of the sixth to tie the contest, and scored another in the bottom of the eighth to take the victory.

The U of M got on the board in the top of the fifth when Bridgette McNulty lead off with a double down the leftfield line, moved to second on a Kimmi Hayden sacrifice bunt and scored on a Melissa Nance fielder's choice.

UAB came back to knot the game at one in the bottom of the sixth, as shortstop Holly Krzan lead off the inning with a solo homerun to leftcenter.

Memphis had the first shot to score in extra frames when Lindsey Pridgen led off the eighth with a double down the leftfield line and was moved to third on a sacrifice bunt by Tori Gross. The Tigers would not score however, as pinch-hitter Jenna Kubesch struck out and centerfielder Cara Stiles grounded out to shortstop to end the inning.

UAB then ended the game in the bottom of the eighth, with Leigh Walker singling to score Andrea Rogers and give the Blazers the win.

Memphis totaled four hits in game one with Leila Dolfo and Leandra Hines each picking up singles and McNulty and Pridgen adding a double apiece.

Nicki Johnson took the loss in the circle, going the full 7.1 innings and giving up just the two earned runs, on 10 hits, while striking out six and walking one. She falls to 4-4 on the season.

In game two, the Tigers once again fought UAB tooth-and-nail for the first five and a half innings, but gave up five runs in the bottom of the sixth to provide the Blazers with an insurmountable advantage.

UAB took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first, then added a run in both the second and third innings to take a 3-0 lead.

Memphis countered in the top of the fourth when Melissa Nance belted a two-run homerun down the leftfield line, scoring McNulty, who had doubled, and cutting the lead to 3-2. The round-tripper was Nance's second on the season.

UAB, however, came right back two innings later plating five runs, including three on back-to back homeruns Jacy Leon and Kayla Harris, to take an 8-2 lead.

Memphis retaliated by scoring one run and putting three runners on base in the top of the seventh, but could threaten no more, and fell 8-3.

Stiles lead the U of M at the plate in game two, going 2-3 with a pair of singles and a walk, while Nance posted a 1-2 effort with her homerun, a walk and two RBIs.

Kubesch took the loss in the second game, working 5.2 innings and giving up six earned runs on seven hits, while striking out three and walking three. The junior now falls to 3-3 on the campaign.

With the pair of defeats, Memphis drops to 9-8 on the season and 0-2 in C-USA play. UAB moves to 13-6 overall and 2-0 in C-USA.

The Tigers and Blazers will conclude their weekend series Sunday at 1 p.m. when they wrap-up the three-game set at George Ward Park.