Memphis Hands USC its First Loss

Friday, February 16

Tallahassee, Fla.

12:30 PM

University of Memphis

5-3

South Carolina

7-1

South Carolina

Memphis

Senior third baseman Bridgette McNulty hit an RBI single and scored a run in the first inning of a 3-1 victory over USC.

Feb 16, 2007 | Softball

Box Score

Feb. 16, 2007

Box Score

Box Score in PDF Format
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For Immediate Release
Contact: Brandon Kolditz
wkolditz@memphis.edu, (901) 871-5475

South Carolina (7-1)  000 010 0 -- 1 4 0
Memphis (5-3)         300 000 x -- 3 6 0
2B - (USC) Josker (2), Wetherbee (1), Martin (3).
     (MEM) Ross (3)
WP - Kubesch (3-1). LP - Robinson (1-1). Save - None.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - After stranding 13 base runners in a 2-1 extra inning loss to Jacksonville, the University of Memphis softball team made sure it took advantage of scoring opportunities early against South Carolina. The Lady Tigers (5-3) scored three runs in the first and gave the Gamecocks (7-1) their first loss of the season in a 3-1 victory in the Sunshine State Tournament on Friday.

"Our player really made adjustments from the first game," said Memphis head coach Windy Thees. "We got off our game a little bit and it cost us in the first game. Right when we got out there, they made some adjustments and we scored early. We sat on the runs, which I hate to do. But I'm glad that we got them."

Memphis strung together four consecutive hits with one out in the first inning to take an early 3-0 lead. Senior first baseman Kara Ross capped the inning with a two-run double to center field, her third two-bagger on the day.

"We need to score four runs," Thees said. "That's our magic number is four. We always tell our team; four runs--guaranteed win. It's hard to lose when you score four. We were trying all game long to get to that four, but I'll take a 3-1 win."

Senior pitcher Jenna Kubesch (3-1) pitched all seven innings for her third victory of the season. The Weimar, Texas, native struck out five and scattered four hits, while not allowing a walk. Kubesch gave up an infield single in the first inning and then retired the next 11 consecutive USC batters before allowing two-straight doubles.

Freshman shortstop Heather Mott singled in the first inning for the Lady Tigers first hit in the game. Junior designated player Lindsay Kelso followed with her third hit of the day, and senior third baseman Bridgette McNulty singled in the first run.

USC right fielder Jessica Josker picked up the team's second hit in the game after Kubesch had retired 11 straight. Josker then scored on a double by Jacqueline Wetherbee. With one out, Memphis got out of the inning on a 1-3-5 double play. The Lady Tigers made three double plays in the day.

Memphis threatened again in the fourth inning after loading the bases. Senior center fielder Lindsey Pridgen hit a one-out single, her first of two hits in the game, and was followed by two consecutive walks. But a 5-2-3 double play retired the side for South Carolina.

Krystle Robinson (1-1) took the loss after allowing three runs on eight hits with four strikeouts.

"We gave them their first loss of the season, so that felt good," Thees said. "I think Joyce (Compton) is amazing. She's won over 1,000 games. I think our team really played well; solid defense, great pitching performance again."

No. 22 Florida State (5-0) will host Memphis on Saturday at JoAnne Graf Field at 3:30 p.m. (EST). Live video and stats are available for the game. The Lady Tigers will then play Kansas (2-3-1) immediately after at approximately 5:30 p.m.

Notes
 Today's game is the second meeting between Memphis and South Carolina. The series is now tied 1-1.
 Senior first baseman Kara Ross hit her third double of the day in the first inning against USC; a two-run double to center field. Ross hit four doubles in 2006.
 Senior pitcher Jenna Kubesch retired a string of 11 in a row in the game.