Tigers Fall in Two Close Games

Wednesday, April 15

Martin, Tenn.

6 PM

University of Memphis

14-24

UT Martin

23-18

Memphis

UT Martin

Apr 15, 2015 | Softball

Box Score

April 15, 2015

Box Score Game One

Box Score Game Two

MARTIN, Tenn. -- The Tigers struggled with runners on base as they stranded 21 en route to falling victim to a two-game sweep by UT Martin 2-0 and 5-1 at Bettye Giles Field on Wednesday afternoon.

The Tigers (14-24, 2-7 AAC) dropped its fourth-straight game, while the Skyhawks (23-18) snapped a two-game skid.

Freshman Katie Brignac picked up the only RBI of the day for the Tigers with a solo home run in the fourth inning of the second game. It was her third of the season and second in the past week. She had a three-run blast on the road against UConn this past weekend.

Brittany Vaughn continued to hit the ball well, finishing 3-6 (.500) on the day, including a leadoff double in the second game. Hannah Harrell finished 2-4 (.500) in each game, making her and Vaughn the only two to have multi-hit games for Memphis.

Game One -- Memphis 0, UT Martin 2 (8 Inn.)

Box Score Game One (PDF)

The story of game one was runners left on base as the Tigers couldn't take advantage of having 10 base runners, while UT Martin stranded 11.

The pitchers traded turns putting runners on base and then working to get out of it. Until the top of the eighth inning, when the Tigers went in order, every half frame had featured at least one runner on base.

The Tigers had the bases loaded twice and failed to score, opening the door for Renate Meckl to win the game with a two-run home run in the bottom of the eighth inning.

The Tigers had an opportunity to prevent Meckl's homer in the top of the seventh inning as Addison Maxwell drew a leadoff walk. Kyler Trosclair was hit by an 0-2 pitch, and then a bunt single from Harell loaded the bases with nobody out. However, a line out to second and then a 1-2-3 double play ended the threat.

Jordan Richwood (7-13) threw all 7.1 innings for the Tigers, and despite giving up an uncharacteristic eight walks, she held the Skyhawks scoreless until the game-winning homer. That was only the fourth hitRichwood had surrendered in the game.

Elizabeth Wiegand also went the distance for the Skyhawks. The Tigers got six hits off of her and walked twice, but were unable to bring anyone across to blemish her ERA.

Game Two -- Memphis 1, UT Martin 5

Box Score Game Two (PDF)

The Tigers once again outhit their opponents, but three errors in a row and a mental mistake wasted a good game in the circle from Brignac.

Brignac dropped to 4-3 with the loss, but threw another complete game and gave up only four hits while striking out four batters.

She helped herself out in the fourth inning as well when she came up with two outs and deposited a pitch from Casey Vincent over the wall in right center to give herself and the Tigers a 1-0 lead.

For the Skyhawks, Vincent went four innings and gave up three hits and a run. In stepped Brooke Kennedy to relieve her and she shutout the Tigers while striking out seven and giving up only four hits.

Heading into game two, the Tigers had gone six games without committing an error. All of that changed in the fifth inning.

The Skyhawks led off with a single to right field, and then bunted her over to second. The next batter hit a ground ball to second, where Brooke Lee was unable to field it cleanly and it went to center, allowing the runner to come around and tie the game from second.

The runner at first tried to steal second and the throw ended up in center field, allowing her to advance to third where she scored on a sacrifice bunt in which Vaughn had to hurry her throw and threw wide of first base. Maxwell, playing catcher in the second game, was able to catch a runner stealing to help stop the damage, but not before the Skyhawks took a 2-1 lead.

UT Martin extended its lead in the sixth as again a leadoff runner got on with a single. A fielder's choice out at second left UT Martin with a runner at first with an out. The next batter walked to push runners to first and second. Brignac got the next batter to line out right back to her in the circle, she turned to second with the runner way off of the bag and threw it, but nobody was there to cover in time.

Because the runner didn't advance it wasn't an error, but instead of being in the dugout down one, the Tigers had to face Lauren Smith. She capitalized on the extra opportunity with a three-run shot to put the Skyhawks ahead 5-1.

Memphis had a chance in the top of the seventh to come back with the top of the lineup. With one out, Harrell singled in the infield and then moved to second when Crowdus singled through the left side. After a strikeout for the second out of the inning, Vaughn was hit by a pitch and loaded the bases for Brignac. However, this time Brignac struck out and the game ended with the bases loaded. Those three runners were part of 11 that the Tigers left on base in the game.

The schedule doesn't get easier for the Tigers as they welcome No. 17 UCF to Tiger Softball Complex this weekend. First pitch is scheduled for Saturday at 1 p.m., but due to weather it may be moved up. Follow the Tigers on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @MemphisSoftball to stay up-to-date with news, scores and information about the team.