Tigers Drop FIU 2-0

Saturday, February 14

Miami, Fla.

3 PM

University of Memphis

3-5

Florida International

5-4

Florida Intl.

Memphis

Feb 14, 2015 | Softball

Box Score

Feb. 14, 2015

Box Score

Box Score (PDF) 

MIAMI, Fla. - Jordan Richwood threw a complete game shutout, and Cierra Mangum came through with the game-winning RBI as Memphis defeated Florida International 2-0 in the Tigers final game of the FIU Invitational at FIU Softball Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Despite playing at FIU's stadium, the Tigers served as the home team. The win improved Memphis to 3-5 on the season and 2-2 for the tournament, while FIU dropped to 5-4, and 1-2 in the tournament.

With the bases loaded in the third inning, Cierra Mangum singled up the middle, scoring the only two runs of the game for either team. The Tigers got on base in almost every way they could to get Mangum that chance. Wheeler Hill started off with a single to short after a strikeout started the inning. Kyler Trosclair moved her over with a walk, and after another strikeout, Lindsay Crowdus loaded the bases because of an error, bringing up Mangum.

On the defensive side, Richwood was as solid as they come. She threw 115 pitches over her seven innings of work, with six strikeouts and gave up just five hits. She came out strong, setting down the first two batters she faced with strikeouts. The Panthers didn't advance a runner to third until the fifth inning, and only achieved the feat twice, and both times there were two outs.

The top of the fifth inning was a big momentum grabber for the Tigers. After a flyout to right field, Ashley Belans doubled to right center. A walk put runners on first and second, which remained that way as Brooke Lee chose to go to third on a fielder's choice, getting the lead runner. A passed ball put runners at second and third, and a walk loaded the bases for the centerfielder, Gabby Spallone. She hit a hard groundball to short, where Lee made a nice grab and then tagged Ashley Leon as she attempted to go to third, killing the threat and keeping the Panthers scoreless.

In the sixth, FIU got a one-out single, but Richwood stuck out the next batter and then forced a ground out to short to end the inning.

The Panthers threatened again in the seventh, as the first two batters singled. Richwood got the next batter swinging. Stephanie Texeira, the first baseman for FIU, gave a ball a ride to center in the next at bat, but Crowdus made the play with room to spare. The runners advanced to second and third, meaning a base hit out of the infield likely tied the game. Spallone came up to bat with the bases loaded for the second time in three innings. This time it was Harrell who made the play, as she tracked down a fly ball and made the catch on the run, ending the game.

Memphis was outhit by the Panthers 5-3, but made no errors, while FIU made one. Hill had two hits while Mangum had the other. Both had hits in the pivotal third inning.

With the conclusion of the tournament, the Tigers return home to host the Blues City Classic at Tiger Softball Stadium. The tournament begins with a game between Northern Iowa and Nicholls State, but the Tigers first game is against Butler at 7 p.m. on Friday.

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