Memphis Loses Series Finale

Sunday, March 29

Memphis, Tenn.

12 PM

University of Memphis

12-17, 1-5

East Carolina

10-26, 2-4

East Carolina

Memphis

Mar 29, 2015 | Softball

Box Score

March 29, 2015

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MEMPHIS, Tenn. - The University of Memphis fell in the rubber match against East Carolina 3-1 in eight innings at the Tiger Softball Complex early Sunday afternoon.

A home run from ECU catcher Abby Wyne in the top of the eighth inning was the difference in the game. It was the second game in the three-games the Tigers (12-17, 1-5 American Athletic Conference) and East Carolina (10-26, 2-4 AAC) had to play extras to find a winner. Memphis came out on top 5-4 in yesterday's 12-inning affair.

Much like that first game, it was a pitcher's dual for the majority of the innings, as the Pirates barely outhit the Tigers 6-5. Both teams scored only a single run in the first seven innings, and neither run was earned.

Jordan Richwood (6-10) took the loss, but had another strong outing from the circle, throwing all eight innings. She gave up the three runs, but only two of them were earned.

On the other side, the Pirates used a combination of all three pitchers from yesterday to get the win. Sarah Christian got the start and gave up five hits and one run over her 5.2 innings of work. Ashley Cruise came in for a third of an inning, and the Caroline Umphlett threw the final two innings, earning the win while striking out two.

The Pirates struck first in the third inning. Second baseman Andi Johnson led off the inning with a double. The next batter, Meredith Mitchell, attempted to bunt her over. Anna Thomas fielded the bunt, but her throw was too high for Brittany Vaughn, and Johnson came around to score to make it 1-0.

The score would remain that way until the sixth inning, when the Tigers finally broke through. With two outs, Cierra Mangum doubled to right center to get into scoring position. Katie Brignac followed her with a single. Mangum originally wasn't going to score and was about to head back to third when the throw to home from the shortstop was offline and got away from the catcher and Mangum came on home to even the score.

Memphis had an opportunity in the seventh as Calli Irvin pinch hit and drew a leadoff walk, but she wasn't able to advance.

East Carolina got a one-out double from Kacie Oshiro, and then after a popup to Kyler Trosclair for the second out, Wynne put the Pirates up for good with her two-run blast over the wall in left.

Memphis went down in order in its half of the eighth to end the game.

The Tigers return to action on Tuesday as they take on Jackson State in a doubleheader at the Tiger Softball Complex. First pitch is set for three p.m. and the second game at five.