Memphis Falls to Mississippi Valley State, 8-1

Tuesday, February 21

Memphis, Tenn.

4 PM

University of Memphis

2-9

Mississippi Valley State

1-7

Miss Valley State

Memphis

Feb 21, 2012 | Softball

Box Score

Feb. 21, 2012

Box Score

MEMPHIS - The University of Memphis softball team dropped its home opener 8-1 to Mississippi Valley State on Tuesday evening.

Devilettes' (1-7) pitcher Alicia Lorenz held Memphis (2-9) to three hits and struck out 10 as the struggling Tigers dropped their seventh-straight contest.

After a 1-0 lead by Memphis, Mississippi Valley State scored eight unanswered runs beginning with a three-run fourth to earn its first-ever victory over the U of M. The Tigers had won the first six decisions, including three victories over MVSU last year.

Junior transfer Jami Miller drove in the only Memphis run with a single through the right side in the bottom of the second inning to score senior Jessica Phillips. Phillips went 1-for-1 in the game with a run scored, a walk and a hit by pitch. Senior Alyssa Palmieri was the only other Tiger to reach base on a hit.

MVSU scored three runs in the fourth inning to take a 3-1 lead. Back-to-back one-out doubles by Ashley Hobbs and Alexandra Sullivan drove in the three runs. Nicole Burr later added a two-run homer in the top of the sixth inning to give the Devilettes a 5-1 lead. Burr then added a RBI double in the seventh inning and Hobbs had a two-run single in the frame to cap the scoring for MVSU.

Burr finished 2-for-2 in the game with three RBI and two runs scored. Hobbs went 2-for-4 with three RBI and a run scored.

Freshman Jordan Richwood (0-3) suffered the loss after allowing three runs on four hits in three and a third innings. Junior Carly Hummel pitched three innings of relief for the U of M and allowed three runs on three hits. Sophomore Ellen Roberts pitched the final two-third of an inning and allowed two runs on three hits.

Memphis will next host the Blues City Classic beginning Friday at the Tiger Softball Complex. The six-team tournament also features Miami-Ohio, Northern Iowa, Western Illinois, Southeast Missouri State and Missouri State. Memphis will play Miami-Ohio on Friday at 2:30 p.m.