Feb. 12, 2006

LAFAYETTE, LA - The University of Memphis Lady Tiger softball team improved to 3-1 on the year after defeating Ole Miss, 11-0, and Grambling State, 10-1, on the final day of the 20th Annual Louisiana Classic tournament hosted by 18th-ranked UL-Lafayette.

The Lady Tigers took advantage of Ole Miss' miscues in the first game Sunday, scoring 11 runs off nine hits and seven Rebel errors. Memphis scored one run in the first inning, and then returned to score five runs in the second inning off three hits and two errors. Memphis held Ole Miss in check and added one run in the third inning, three in the fourth and one in the fifth to end the game on the run rule.

Pitcher Nicki Johnson picked up the win for the Lady Tigers, allowing just two hits and striking out five of the 17 batters she faced. Johnson is now 1-1 on the year.

Third baseman Bridgette McNulty led the Lady Tiger offense with a 3-for-4 effort from the plate. She totaled one double, two runs and two RBI. Shortstop Lindsey Pridgen also tallied multiple hits against the Rebels, going 2-for-4 from the plate. She totaled a double and an RBI in the win. Rightfielder Leila Dolfo also hit a double and recorded a stolen base. She was 1-for-4 at the plate and also tallied two RBI.

Rebel pitcher Cathie Hacker was credited with the loss after giving up six runs, three off which were earned, off four hits. She walked two and struck out one in 1.1 innings in the circle. Dana Brill replaced Hacker and allowed five runs off five hits in 3.2 innings of work. She walked three and struck out six of the 23 batters faced.

Immediately following the win over Ole Miss, Memphis faced Grambling State, defeating the Tigers, 10-1. Memphis opened the game with a run in the first inning after Stiles led off the inning with a double. Brittany Gooch laid down a bunt and reached on a single, but Stiles was thrown out at the plate. Gooch scored off a sacrifice fly by Leila Dolfo.

Memphis held Grambling State scoreless through two innings and added four runs in the second inning to give Memphis a 5-0 lead heading into the top of the third inning.

Grambling State managed its first run off the Lady Tigers in the third inning. Estella Mata led off GSU with a walk and Asia Anders singled to advance Mata to second. A double steal by Mata and Anders led GSU to their only run of the inning.

Memphis was held scoreless in the third inning, but made up for it with a five-run fourth inning that included a hit by Bridgette McNulty that scored two RBI, and a double by Kimberly Hayden that scored three RBI.

Leila Dolfo picked up the win for the Lady Tigers after allowing just one run off three hits in five innings in the circle. She also struck out three of the 20 batters she faced. Brittanie Talley was credited with the loss for GSU after giving up 10 runs, eight of which were earned, off nine hits. She walked nine and struck out one.

Cara Stiles, Melissa Nance and Kimberly Hayden were all 2-for-3 at the plate in leading the Lady Tiger offense.

Defensively, the Lady Tigers were solid in the tournament, and only totaled one error in the four games played.

"I am very proud of how solid we played all weekend," said Head Coach Windy Thees. "I am excited to come away with three wins, heading into our home tournament next weekend."

Kimberly Hayden, Bridgette McNulty and Cara Stiles were all named to the All-Tournament team following the event.

The Lady Tigers will have their first-ever home game next weekend, hosting the Lady Tiger Classic at Greenbrook Park in Southaven, Miss. Featured teams include Memphis, Southern, Alabama A&M and Arkansas-Pine Bluff. Memphis' first game in the tournament will be against Southern at noon on Saturday, Feb. 18.