Tigers run-rule Butler Saturday

Saturday, March 7

Memphis, Tenn.

6:30 PM

University of Memphis

Butler

Photo by: Maya Todd

Mar 07, 2020 | Softball

Chyanne Ellett improved to 8-2 with nine strikeouts against the Bulldogs

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The University of Memphis softball team bounced back Saturday evening to defeat Butler in the UofM Softball Tournament by a score of 10-2 in six innings at the Tigers Softball Complex. The Tigers improve to 13-9 on the year with wins in five of the last six games.

Chyanne Ellett improved to 8-2 in the victory, pitching the complete game for Memphis. She had a career-high nine strikeouts.

With two outs in the top of the first inning, Butler capitalized first with a drawn walk and a two-run home run down the left field line. Memphis responded, scoring two runs on two sacrifice flies in the bottom of the first.

Sam Ibison led the game off for Memphis with a walk and made her way to second on a stolen base. Delaney Smith advanced Ibison to third on a bunt single, setting up Gracie Morton for a sacrifice fly opportunity. During the next at bat, Smith recorded a pair of stolen bases and scored on a sacrifice fly by Brady Rowland.

Ellett proceeded to retire the next three Bulldogs in order in the second, the final two by strikeout.

In the bottom of the second, Kendall Lee launched her second home run of the season to put the Tigers ahead, 3-2.

After a scoreless third, Memphis added insurance runs in the bottom of the fourth inning. Three straight Tigers walked to lead off the inning before Baylee Smith doubled to left center to drive in two. Memphis added one more in the inning to take a 6-2 lead.

Through the middle of the contest, Ellett retired six in a row, capped with two strikeouts to start the fifth inning. The Bulldogs threatened with an infield single and a stolen base, but Ellett forced a fly out to Delaney Smith in center field to end the inning.

Memphis continued to add runs in the bottom of the fifth inning. Delaney Smith sparked the Tigers, reaching on a defensive miscue by Butler. A single by Morton, a double by Alyssa Dean and a single up the middle by Baylee Smith lifted the Tigers to a 9-2 advantage.

Butler threatened in the top half of the sixth inning, loading the bases with one out. A soft ground ball within reach of Rowland at the plate allowed for her to complete a 2-3 double play to end the inning.

The Tigers promptly ended the contest in the bottom of the sixth as Ibison doubled to center field to score Brianna Lucero.

Baylee Smith led the Tigers with two hits and three RBI. Memphis was efficient in scoring, leaving a season-low three runners left on base.

Memphis is back in action Sunday at approximately 3:30 p.m. against Belmont in the final game of the UofM Softball Tournament. For more information on the Memphis softball team, follow the Tigers on social media at @MemphisSoftball.