April 9, 2011

Box Score

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HUNTINGTON, W.Va. - Despite a nearly five hour rain delay, the University of Memphis softball team sailed to a 10-3 win over Marshall to open a three-game series on Saturday.

The two teams were scheduled to play a doubleheader, but after Memphis (24-10, 7-6 C-USA) jumped to a 2-0 lead and were threatening again in the top of the second, strong thunder storms halted play. Competing at the lightless Dot Hicks Field, the two teams were able to finish the first game before nightfall after the four hour and 45 minute delay and will play a doubleheader beginning at noon ET (11 a.m. CT) on Sunday.

Junior first baseman Jessica Phillips gave the Tigers' an early 2-0 lead with her 11th home run of the season in the first inning. Phillips finished 2-for-3 in the game and is tied for second in school history for most home runs in a season. The record of 12 is held by Bridgette McNulty who set it in 2006.

Senior shortstop Heather Mott went 3-for-3 in the game with an RBI and two walks. Freshman Ashleigh King finished 2-for-4 with two RBI and a run scored and freshman Ijiah Hargrove scored a career best three runs.

The Tigers improved to 20-1 when scoring first and sophomore RHP Carly Hummel improved to 18-2 when Memphis scores three runs or more. Hummel (14-4) went the distance, striking out 10 and allowing three runs on five hits for her 14th victory of the season.

After resuming play with runners at second and third with one out after the delay in the top of the second, Memphis plated two more turns to take a 4-0 lead. Pinch runner Shanna Brown scored on a single by Mott and Hargrove scored her first of three runs on a ball hit by Maddie McKinley.

Hargrove scored her second run of the game in the fourth inning to give the Tigers a 5-0 lead. She led off the inning with an infield single and scored on a passed ball.

Marshall put its first run on the board in the bottom of the fourth. Ashley Gue walked and scored from second on a double by Samantha Spurlock. The Herd came within two runs of Memphis after a pair of solo home runs in the fifth by Alianna Telles and Rebecca Gamby cut the lead to 5-3.

Memphis put the game out of reach in the seventh, scoring five runs on three hits, including a two-run single by King.

Memphis and Marshall (15-21, 1-9 C-USA) will play a doubleheader tomorrow beginning at 12 p.m. ET (11 a.m. CT) to conclude the series.