Tigers Drop Single Game to Mississippi State

Wednesday, April 22

Starkville, Miss.

6 PM

University of Memphis

14-30

Mississippi State

32-16

Memphis

Mississippi State

Apr 22, 2015 | Softball

Box Score

April 22, 2015

STARKVILLE, Miss. -- Freshman Katie Brignac's fourth home run of the season was the highlight of the game for the Tigers as they lost 11-3 in five innings to Mississippi State in the final game at MSU Softball Field on Wednesday evening.

The two-run blast came on the first pitch Brignac faced in the fourth inning and brought Memphis (14-30, 2-10 AAC) within a run of the Bulldogs (32-16, 9-12 SEC), but it was as close as the Tigers would get.

Jordan Richwood (7-17) pitched four innings for the Tigers and gave up seven hits and six runs while striking out four batters. Molly Smith replaced her in the bottom of the fourth inning after Brignac's homer, but she lasted only a third of an inning and was credited with five runs, four of them earned and walked a batter.

Mississippi State put up a five-run frame to break open the game. A single and then a one-out double put runners on second and third, and then a walk loaded the bases. The next batter was hit by a 3-2 pitch to bring in a run and make it 4-2.

With the bases still loaded, a ball was grounded back to the pitcher. Smith elected to go home, but Haleigh Ross was unable to hold onto the ball and the run came in to extend the lead to 5-2. Richwood reentered the game and the first batter she faced cleared the bases with a three-run double. Richwood responded by striking out the next two batters.

The Tigers got a run back in the top of the fifth inning with a two-out rally. Shortstop Kyler Trosclair got things started with an infield hit to short. It was her third hit of the game. Hannah Harrell did the same thing with a chopper over the third baseman and the shortstop had no throw. Lindsay Crowdus followed with a single up the middle, and Trosclair raced around third and scored to cut the lead to 8-3.

Mississippi State got the run back and then some in the bottom of the inning. A one out single and a hit batter set the stage for a two-run triple to make it 10-3. A couple of batters later, the Bulldogs got a walkoff double to finish the game in the fifth.

Memphis was outhit in the game 9-6 and the Tigers committed only one error. Cassady Knudson moved to 2-0 on the season with the win. She gave up six hits and three runs while walking a batter and striking out one.

The Tigers return back to Memphis for a day before heading to Tampa, Fla. for an American Athletic Conference series against South Florida. First pitch for Saturday's doubleheader is set for 11 a.m. Follow the Tigers on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @MemphisSoftball to stay up-to-date with news, scores and information about the University of Memphis softball team.