Memphis Takes One of Two from Jackson State

Tuesday, March 31

Memphis, Tenn.

3 PM

University of Memphis

13-17

Jackson State

12-21

Jackson State

Memphis

Mar 31, 2015 | Softball

Box Score

March 31, 2015

Box Score Game One

Box Score Game Two

MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- The University of Memphis took one of two from Jackson State in a midweek doubleheader at the Tiger Softball Complex on Tuesday afternoon, winning 9-1 in five innings before dropping the second game 4-1.

The Tigers moved to 13-18 (1-4 American Athletic Conference) after the doubleheader, while Jackson State is now 13-21.

Sophomore center fielder Lindsay Crowdus continues to set Memphis records as she set the program mark for consecutive games safely reached base, with a two RBI single in the first game. It was her 22nd game in a row to have reached base safely.

Pitchers Katie Brignac and Molly Smith were both solid in the circle, as they combined for 12 innings, nine hits and just five runs between the two games.

Game One -- Memphis 9, Jackson State 1

Box Score Game One (PDF)

Memphis got after the Tigers from Jackson State pretty early in game one, as they aggressively ran the base paths.

Kyler Trosclair got things started with a leadoff walk, and then stole second. It was the first of three stolen bases for Trosclair, tied for the most in a game by a single Tiger. In all, Memphis would steal six bases, the second most in program history.

A groundball moved her to third, and after Cierra Mangum walked and stole second, Anna Thomas continued her hot hitting with an RBI single, and then stole second herself.

Brittany Vaughn started the second inning with a single, and then moved to second on a fielding error and third on a wild pitch. Haleigh Ross drove her in with a sacrifice fly. Wheeler Hill walked, stole second and advanced to third on a wild pitch, taking home as the catcher proceeded to throw the ball away.

After Trosclair was hit by a pitch and Hannah Harrell walked, Crowdus singled to center, scoring both of the runners.

Jackson State got a run back in the fourth, but the Tigers responded quickly with four of their own to take a 9-1 lead. Trosclair singled and stole second, Harrell walked and Crowdus loaded the bases with an infield single. Mangum singled to short to bring in one run, and then Thomas walked to bring in a second. Brooke Lee drove in an RBI by taking a walk, and then a wild pitch scored the ninth run.

Brignac (4-1) continued pitching well in the circle, as she had done against Alcorn State a week ago. She threw another complete game, giving up just five hits and the one run, striking out six in the process.

Game Two -- Memphis 1, Jackson State 4

Box Score Game Two (PDF)

Errors doomed the Tigers in the seventh inning of game two as three errors on consecutive plays allowed three runs to cross home plate.

Jackson State took a 1-0 lead in the third inning as a two out single from Victoria Nelson got a small rally started. She was brought in by a double from Amy Lara.

Memphis responded in the fifth as Harrell led off with a walk and stole second. Mangum reached on an error, advancing Harrell, and then Thomas singled her through.

The seventh came around and a leadoff walk gave Jackosn State an early advantage. The next batter reached on a fielder's choice, when Mangum decided to throw to second on the bunt, but it was not in time. Another fielder's choice resulted in the first out at second base and runners on the corner for A.J. Harvey.

Harvey attempted a bunt, and then reached when the throw to Vaughn covering first was dropped, which was the first error. Vaughn took the next hit to second for the unassisted out, but when she tried to turn the double play, nobody was covering first and the ball got away, allowing a run. On the next pitch, the runner on second attempted to steal third, and the throw ended up in the outfield, bringing in the third run of the inning and fourth of game.

Memphis had an opportunity in the bottom half of the inning, as Crowdus reached on an error and Mangum walked. Thomas struck out for the first out, and then after Vaughn flew out, Mangum was thrown out trying to get to second and ending the game.

Despite taking the loss, Smith (3-4) threw seven innings of four-hit ball for the Tigers. Only two of the runs were earned and she threw 109 pitches.

Memphis has the weekend off for Easter, but return to action with a road trip to play Lipscomb in Nashville, Tenn. on the Tuesday.