Tigers defeat Western Illinois behind Ellett's complete game

Saturday, February 29

Memphis, Tenn.

6:30 PM

University of Memphis

Western Illinois

Photo by: Maya Todd

Tigers defeat Western Illinois behind Ellett's complete game

Feb 29, 2020 | Softball

Memphis hits three home runs against the Leathernecks

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Three home runs and a commanding performance in the circle led the University of Memphis softball team to a 6-1 victory against Western Illinois Saturday evening. Chyanne Ellett threw a complete game for the Tigers and finished with nine strikeouts as the Tigers improve to 10-8 on the year and 3-0 in the Blues City Classic.

Although hits were limited on offense by the Tigers, Memphis made them count, with home runs by Alyssa Dean, Kendall Lee and Brady Rowland. Rowland's home run in the bottom of the fifth inning was the third of the weekend for the freshman catcher.

Dean's home run came in the bottom of the second inning to dead center field, driving in Rowland, who reached on a leadoff walk.

Lee lifted the Tigers to a 4-0 advantage in the bottom of the fourth with her first home run of the season. Baylee Smith led the inning off with a double to left field and ultimately scored on Lee's home run.

Western Illinois tacked on its only run of the contest in the top of the sixth inning. The Leathernecks drew a leadoff walk that scored later in the inning on a single up the middle.

Rowland's blast, a two-run shot to left field, drove in Delaney Smith to give Memphis a 6-1 lead. Smith reached base with a single to the shortstop for her first hit of the game.

Ellett improved to 6-2 on the year and finished with nine strikeouts in the complete game effort. Rowland's two RBI against the Leathernecks upped her season total to a team-leading 17 RBI. Dean finished the night with a team-high two hits.

Memphis resumes action Sunday at 1:15 p.m. against Evansville. Two games are on tap for the Tigers as Memphis concludes the Blues City Classic against North Alabama immediately following the game against the Purple Aces. For more information on the Memphis softball team, follow the Tigers on social media at @MemphisSoftball.