Softball wraps up UofM Softball Tournament with win over Belmont

Sunday, March 8

Memphis, Tenn.

3:30 PM

University of Memphis

Belmont

Photo by: Maya Todd

Softball wraps up UofM Softball Tournament with win over Belmont

Mar 08, 2020 | Softball

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The University of Memphis softball team concluded the UofM Softball Tournament Sunday evening with a 6-4 victory against Belmont. The Tigers improve to 14-9 overall, 7-1 at home and finish the UofM Softball Tournament with a 3-1 record.

Mariah Nichols earned the victory in relief for Memphis, pitching 2.1 innings with two strikeouts. Collectively, the Memphis pitching corps struck out six Bruins while zero Tigers struck out. In her first collegiate start, Brianna Lucero recorded a pair of hits and an RBI to lead the Tigers.

Belmont struck first in the top of the first, driving in a run on a two-out single through the right side. The Tigers ended the inning by throwing out a Bruin who was attempting to steal home plate.

Brady Rowland was Memphis' first base runner of the contest, leading the second inning off with a bloop single to right field. Rowland was stranded at second after the Bruins retired the Tigers in order following Rowland's at bat.

Memphis had another opportunity in the third as Lucero recorded her first hit of the season to lead off the inning. Lucero advanced to third with two outs, but was unable to cross the plate as Belmont held the Tigers scoreless.

In the fourth, Memphis' bats came alive. Gracie Morton led the charge with the first of four hits, an infield single to the shortstop. Two batters later, Morton scored on a single up the middle by Baylee Smith.

The Tigers also recorded a double steal in the inning, scoring the second run of the contest. Memphis' third run of the inning was plated after Lucero singled up the middle for her second hit of the game.

Belmont struck back in the fifth, tallying three runs to take a 4-3 lead against Memphis. The Bruins loaded the bases and capitalized on a Memphis error, doubling to left center with two outs.

Memphis regained its final lead in the bottom half of the sixth by stringing together three hits while taking advantage of three defensive miscues by the Bruins. Kendall Lee started off the inning with a single to right field, and an error allowed her to reach second. After being advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt, Lee scored on an RBI hit by Sara Ann Davidson, the first of three consecutive run-scoring at bats by the Tigers.

Next up on the docket for Memphis is a doubleheader against Youngstown State on Tuesday. First pitch at the Tigers Softball Complex is set for 2 p.m. For more information on the Memphis softball team, follow the Tigers on social media at @MemphisSoftball.