Oct. 17, 2009

NWMCC/Memphis PDF Box Score

Union/Memphis Box Score

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MEMPHIS, Tenn. - The Memphis Tigers picked up shutout victories over Northwest Mississippi Community College, 9-0, and Union University, 3-0, on Saturday afternoon at the Tiger Softball Complex. The Tigers finish their 2009 fall schedule with a record of 4-0 after picking up a doubleheader sweep of Alcorn State earlier in October.

The Tigers scattered only three hits over two games on Saturday. Senior pitcher Vanessa Walle picked up the shutout victory for Memphis in game one, allowing no runs on one hit in four innings pitched. Freshman pitcher Carly Hummel recorded the win in game two over Union, allowing no runs on one hit in four innings pitched. The Tiger pitchers did not allow a run in four games during the fall season.

Junior Maddie McKinley led the Tiger bats on Saturday. The native of Chickamauga, Ga., finished the day going 4-for-4 with three RBI and two solo home runs. McKinley finishes the fall season with three home runs after recording a three-run shot against Alcorn State.

McKinley led off the scoring in game one against the Rangers of NWMCC, with a leadoff home run in the bottom of the second inning off pitcher Lauren Kendall.

The Tiger bats came alive in the bottom of the fourth inning plating eight runs. The first run of the inning came when sophomore Jessica Phillips singled in McKinley from second base. Memphis extended the lead to 3-0 on an RBI single by newcomer Shanna Brown. Tiger senior Leigh Rowan scored from second base.

The Memphis hitting showcase continued when Kim Sirman's single scored Phillips from third. Memphis went ahead 6-0 on a two RBI single by Nikki Moreno. Sirman and Brown scored for the Tigers.

Junior Heather Mott plated the seventh run for Memphis on a sacrifice fly to center field, scoring pinch-runner Morgan Mosby. The Tigers went ahead 8-0 when Lelani Bernardino scored on a wild pitch. 

McKinley, who led off the inning, batted for a second time and doubled off NWMCC pitcher Candice Brasher, scoring Alyssa Palmieri from third base.

Along with McKinley's 3-for-3, two RBI performance for Memphis, the Tigers also got impressive outings from Bernardino and Moreno. Bernardino finished the game 2-for-3 with one run scored. Moreno went 1-for-2 with two RBI.

In game two against the Union Bulldogs, McKinley once again led off the scoring with her second solo home run of the game off Union pitcher Caroline George.

The Tigers added two more runs to their lead in the bottom of the sixth inning. Vanessa Walle produced both runs for the Tigers on an RBI single up the middle, scoring Kailey Kassner from second and Keanah Prestridge from third.

Memphis was led in the second game by a two RBI performance by Walle. Prestridge finished the game with a 2-for-3 performance with one run scored. McKinley ended the game 1-for-1 with one walk and one home run.

The Tigers will play a Blue/Gray scrimmage on Saturday, Oct. 31, at 10 a.m. to cap off the fall season. Admission is free and there will be a free one hour softball clinic following the game for children 12 and under.

Memphis will return for the spring season beginning on Feb. 12, at the Centenary Spring Tournament in Shreveport, La. The Tigers will face-off with Wichita State, Centenary, Nicholls State and Southern in the two-day tournament.