University of Memphis Athletics
University of Memphis
17-6, 2-2
Houston
17-11, 1-3
Tigers Can't Rally, Drop Game One to Houston
Mar 19, 2011 | Softball
March 19, 2011
MEMPHIS, Tenn. - A three-run second inning was too much to come back from for the Memphis Tiger softball team in game one of its doubleheader, Saturday, with Conference USA rival Houston, with the Cougars ultimately prevailing by the score of 7-1.
Memphis falls to 17-6, 2-2 in Conference USA play, while the Cougars improve to 17-11 and pick up their first C-USA win after going 0-3 last weekend against UAB.
Houston got on the board in the first with a Reina Gaber single that scored lead-off hitter Holly Anderson.
After escaping more trouble in the first, sophomore Carly Hummel gave up two home-runs in the second, a solo shot by Jennifer Klinkert and a two-run job from Anderson, putting Houston ahead, 4-0.
Sophomore Kailey Kassner got the Tigers on the board in the bottom of the fourth with a solo home run, her first home run of 2011 and the 11th of her career, putting her one shy of tying Lindsay Kelso for fifth all-time in Memphis history.
The Cougars tacked on three in the sixth, with Klinkert coming across on an error and Ashleigh Jones scoring her second run of the game on an Anderson single. Another Tiger error brought Anderson home from second.
Senior Janelle Valle came on in relief of Hummel, allowing one earned run in 4.1 innings. The Lake Elsinore, Calif., remains the Tigers leader in ERA at 0.82 in 42.2 innings pitched. Hummel took the loss for Memphis, and is now 9-3 in 2011.
With the groundball-inducing Valle pitching much of the game, Tiger fielders had ample chances, with senior Heather Mott throwing out five runners (her season-high) and junior Jessica Phillips recording nine putouts, the fourth time in the past five games she's had nine putouts or more.
Houston's Amanda Crabtree picked up the victory, her 11th, while striking out 17.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: CRABTREE, Amanda (11-5)
L: Hummel, Carly (9-3)
Batting:
HR: ANDERSON, Holly 1 ; KLINKERT, Jennifer 1
RBI: ANDERSON, Holly 3 ; GABER, Reina 1 ; KLINKERT, Jennifer 1 ; JONES, Ashleigh 1
Base Running:
RUNS: ANDERSON, Holly 3 ; KLINKERT, Jennifer 2 ; JONES, Ashleigh 2
SB: ANDERSON, Holly 2
CS: GREGSON, Melissa 1
HBP: ANDERSON, Holly 1
Batting:
HR: Kassner, Kailey 1
RBI: Kassner, Kailey 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Kassner, Kailey 1
