Tigers Shutout UCF to Advance to AAC Semifinals

Thursday, May 10

Tampa, Fla.

3 PM

University of Memphis

37-20

No. 4 UCF

34-22

Memphis

UCF

Photo by: (Ben Solomon/American Athletic Conference)

May 10, 2018 | Softball

Box Score

Molly Smith hurls her 12th complete game shutout of the season en route to the victory

TAMPA, Fla. – The University of Memphis softball team advances in the American Athletic Conference Championship for the second-straight season after shutting out UCF by a score of 3-0 Thursday afternoon. The victory for Memphis also marked the 37^th win this season, which sets a program record for the Tigers.

Molly Smith tossed the complete game shutout, her 12^th of the season, allowing just two UCF hits for the entirety of the contest. Smith struck out four and allowed just one walk in her 25^th victory of the year.

The squads kept the game tight through the first three innings before the Tigers found themselves on the board in the top of the fourth. Back-to-back one out singles by Brooke Lee and Addison Maxwell combined with a Regan Hadley walk loaded the bases for Kendall Lee. Lee proceeded to put the ball in play on the infield and forced a UCF error that allowed two runs to score.

The Tigers then tacked on one more run in the top of the fifth after Delaney Smith led the inning off with a double and Maxwell later drove her home.

Memphis finished with seven hits in the contest while allowing just two by UCF. The Tiger defense played a clean game which was also highlighted with several diving stops to keep the Knights from gaining any momentum.

Tiger Tidbits

The Tigers improve to 37-20 on the year. The 37 wins are the most in a single-season in program history.
Memphis has now advanced to the semifinals of the American Athletic Conference Championship for the second-straight season.
Molly Smith improved to 25-9 on the year. The 25 wins by Smith also is a single-season record for an individual pitcher.
Smith's complete game shutout was her 12^th this season.
Delaney Smith and Addison Maxwell led the Tigers with two hits each. Smith recorded a double for the Tigers in the fifth inning and scored on Maxwell's single to the outfield.

Scoring
Memphis 3, UCF 0
Top 4 – With the bases loaded, Kendall Lee hit into a difficult play at first that forced the first baseman to throw the ball away. Two runs scored on the play and Memphis took a 2-0 lead. Back-to-back singles by Brooke Lee and Addison Maxwell started the Memphis run in the fourth inning. (2 runs, 2 hits, 2 errors, 2 left on base)
Top 5 – Delaney Smith led the inning off with a double to left center. With two outs and runners on first and second, Addison Maxwell singled to right field, driving in Smith. (1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 2 left on base)

Next Up For The Tigers
Memphis now plays the winner of No. 1 USF and No. 8 UConn at 3:30 p.m. CT Friday afternoon in Tampa, Fla.

Tiger fans can follow the team's live scoring through the Official Memphis Tigers app by Sidearm, available in both Apple and Android app stores. For more information on the University of Memphis softball team, follow the Tigers on Facebook and Twitter at @MemphisSoftball.