@MemphisSoftball Falls in Series Opener at UConn

Saturday, March 29

Storrs, Conn.

10 AM

University of Memphis

13-19, 0-4

Connecticut

6-20, 1-3

Memphis

Connecticut

Mar 29, 2014 | Softball

Box Score

March 29, 2014

Box Score

Box Score (PDF)

STORRS, Conn. - The bats for the University of Memphis softball team continued to be cold as the Tigers dropped the first game of a three-game series at Connecticut, 4-1.

Memphis had just two hits through the first six innings, but a leadoff home run by Kelly Braman in the seventh began a string of three-straight hits for the Tigers. The U of M put the tying run at the plate with no outs in the inning, but couldn't manage more than the one run.

The Tigers (13-19, 0-4) have now lost seven-straight games and haven't scored more than a run in a game during the streak. The win snapped a nine-game losing streak for UConn (6-20, 1-3) and gave the Huskies their first American Athletic Conference victory.

Senior Ellen Roberts (7-11) suffered the loss after giving up four runs on eight hits with a walk and three strikeouts in five-plus innings. Jordan Richwood pitched the final three outs in the sixth and allowed one hit and a walk.

UConn threatened to score in the third inning after leading off the frame with a hit by pitch and a walk. Following a fielder's choice at third and a lineout to short, the Huskies' leading RBI producer Audrey Grinnell singled up the middle. Heather Fyfe attempted to score from second on the play but was thrown out at home by Lindsay Crowdus to end the inning.

Connecticut took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the fourth. Jacklyn Dubois was hit by the pitch to lead off the inning and scored on a double to left center by Lexi Gifford.

The Huskies added to the lead with a run in the fifth inning. Fyfe led off the inning with a single to second and advanced to second on a sac bunt. Emily O'Donnell drove Fyfe in with a long single to left center to make it 2-0 in favor of Connecticut.

In the sixth, Valerie Sadowl led off the inning with a solo home run to left center for UConn. The Huskies made it 4-0 with a bases loaded sacrifice fly to right by O'Donnell to score Taylor Townsend.

Memphis avoided the shutout with a solo home run to lead off the seventh by Braman. It is her third homer of the year and 12th of her career. Cierra Mangum and Georganna Goodwin followed with singles, but the Tigers were unable to plate any additional runs.

Lauren Duggan improved to 5-10 on the season with the victory in the circle for UConn. She allowed one run on five hits with three strikeouts and two walks.

Grinnell and Gifford each had a pair of hits for the Huskies and O'Donnell led the team with two of the four RBI.

Memphis and Connecticut continue the three-game series with game two of the doubleheader on Saturday. The two teams close the series on Sunday with a single game at 10 a.m. CT/11 a.m. ET.