Memphis Drops Tiger Classic Finale to Tennessee State

Sunday, February 8

Baton Rouge, La.

9:30 AM

University of Memphis

1-3

Tennessee State

1-4

Tennessee State

Memphis

Memphis Drops Tiger Classic Finale to Tennessee State

Feb 08, 2015 | Softball

Box Score

Feb. 8, 2015

Box Score

Box Score (PDF) 

BATON ROUGE, La. - The University of Memphis softball team was unable to take advantage of its opportunities as the Tigers wrapped up the Tiger Classic with a 4-1 loss to Tennessee State on Sunday morning at Tiger Park.

The Tigers finished 1-3 in the season-opening Tiger Classic, while Tennessee State avenged its Saturday loss to Memphis and finished 1-2 in the tournament and 1-4 overall.

The UofM had runners in scoring position in four of the seven innings, but were only able to get a run across in the fifth. However, in three of those four innings, the runner didn't advance to scoring position until there were two outs and the Tigers were unable to get the hit they needed.

Calli Irvin started in the circle for the Tigers. She threw three innings and was credited with all four runs, but only two of them were earned. She struck out four batters and gave up only five hits.

TSU got on the board in the first after a leadoff walked and stolen second base turned into an RBI. The second inning started with an error, which turned the first out into a runner standing on second with no outs. Back-to-back singles and some good base running later, and Tennessee State held a 3-0 lead.

Memphis would threaten in the second themselves. Calli Irvin and Addison Maxwell were on second and first with one out. Wheeler Hill hit a fly ball into left and Irvin tagged up. However, TSU threw back to second base and the umpire judged that Irvin had left second base early and doubled up the Tigers, ending the threat.

Tennessee State added their fourth run in the third. A leadoff single and passed ball gave TSU a runner at second with nobody out. Irvin struck out the next batter and got another to ground out, but a walk and a base hit through the right side made it 4-0. The next batter was called for interference, neutralizing any chance TSU had of scoring again.

Molly Smith made her second appearance in relief starting in the fourth inning. She pitched the final four innings scoreless, allowing just one hit while striking out five batters and throwing 84 pitches. In the fifth inning, she walked the first two batters but battled back to get the next three, including striking out the final two.

Hannah Harrell led off the fifth inning by reaching on an error. She stole second and advanced to third on a ground out. Ali Evans was hit by a pitch and then stole second as well. A wild pitch brought in Harrell for the Tigers' only run of the day. Evans was left stranded at third.

Memphis outhit Tennessee State 7-6 and the teams both had an error a piece. The UofM walked seven TSU batters, while only receiving one free pass.

The University of Memphis returns to action next weekend as the Tigers travel to Miami, Fla. for the Florida International University Invitational. They'll face Long Island, Purdue and Florida International twice. Follow the Tigers softball team on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @MemphisSoftball to keep up-to-date with scores, photos and news about the program.