Memphis Falls Short on Opening Day

Friday, February 9

Baton Rouge, La.

1:30 PM

University of Memphis

0-1

Pittsburgh

1-0

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	Runs R	Hits H	Errors E
Pittsburgh	0	0	0	1	4	0	0	5	5	0
Memphis	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	3	3

Team	1	2	3	4	5	Runs R	Hits H	Errors E
Memphis	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	1
LSU	1	4	8	6	X	19	13	0

Feb 09, 2024 | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

BATON ROUGE, La. – The University of Memphis softball team opened its 2024 season on Friday afternoon, falling in back-to-back games against Pittsburgh and No. 14/15 LSU at the LSU Invitational in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

The Tigers (0-2) battled at the plate but were unable to find consistency through their lineup, logging just five hits on the day while also battling defensive miscues.

Memphis used four players in the circle on day one Taniyah Brown, Rylee Dugar, Abigail Morgan and Drue Thomas. The Tigers produced moments of excellence with gritty defensive plays however were unable to build up momentum to carry through the games.

Pitt 5, Memphis 0

HOW IT HAPPENED

•       Pitt got on base in the top of the first inning as Macy Hamilton singled to freshman Brown. The Panthers were unable to capitalize on their base hit, leaving to on base to close to the top of the first.
•       E'mya Munford found herself on base in the bottom of the second inning after a long battle at the plate but was unable to come around to score for the Tigers.
•       Pitt got on the board first as Kylie Griggs reached home off a ground out to second base from Amanda Ramirez in the top of the fourth inning.
•       The Tigers saw back-to-back base hits by Aaliyah Dixon and Madison Berner to open the bottom of the fourth inning. Memphis was unable to string anything together the rest of the inning and remained scoreless.
•       The Panthers load the bases to open the top of the fifth inning and scored their second run of the game off a fielding error by the Tigers. Pitt added three more runs as Hamilton homered to center field.
•       Memphis added one more hit to its stat line but was unable to score in the loss.

NOTABLES

•       Brown got the start going 4.2 innings and recorded two strikeouts. Dugar came in as relief for Brown in the bottom of the fifth inning going the final 2.1 innings and facing 9 at bats.
•       Three Tigers recorded hits in the game: Dixon, Berner and Brown.
•       Memphis played eight newcomers in the game: Ally Callahan, Arianna Cox-Cole, Ariel Davis, McKaylee Polk, Kennedy Semien, Aubrey Williams, Brown and Dixon.

LSU 19, Memphis 0

HOW IT HAPPENED

•       LSU got on the board early as Ali Newland singled through left center allowing Danieca Coffey to reach home in the bottom of the first inning.
•       The Tigers loaded up the bases in the top of the second inning after E'mya Munford, Khamiyah Brown and Davis were walked. Despite having multiple players in scoring position, Memphis came up empty handed.
•       LSU put up three more runs in the bottom of the second inning as Coffey homered to right field. The Tigers added one more run off a single to right center allowing Ciara Briggs to cross home plate.
•       Cox-Cole notched her first career hit to open the third inning, giving the Tigers their first hit of the game.
•       LSU added eight more runs in the bottom of the third inning, six coming off home runs from Realeen Gutierrez and Taylor Pleasants.
•       LSU tacked on two more runs in the bottom of the fourth inning as Briggs doubled deep to center field sending Maddox McKee and Sierra Daniel in for the score. The Tigers continued their scoring route putting up four more runs before exiting the inning.
•       Cox-Cole picked up her second base hit of the night, singling through the middle, but was unable to round the bases for a Memphis run.

NOTABLES

•       Dugar got the start going 1.2 innings before Morgan entered the game in relief in the bottom of the second inning. Morgan went 0.1 innings before Thomas entered the game. Thomas went 0.1 innings before Dugar re-entered and completed the game.
•       The Tigers recorded two hits both recorded by Cox-Cole.

UP NEXT

•       The Tigers will close out their play at the LSU Invitational Saturday, Feb. 10 with Pitt at 11 a.m. and LSU at 4 p.m.

How to follow the Tigers: For complete information on Memphis Tigers Softball, visit www.GoTigersGo.com and follow the team's social media channels on Twitter, Instagram , and Facebook.