Memphis Drops Doubleheader to Tulsa in AAC Opener

Saturday, March 9

Memphis, Tenn.

1 PM

University of Memphis

3-17, 0-1-0

Tulsa

13-7, 1-0-0

Tulsa

Memphis

Photo by: Matthew A. Smith

Mar 09, 2024 | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The University of Memphis softball team dropped its first two games of American Athletic Conference play to Tulsa Saturday afternoon at Tiger Softball Complex.

The Tigers (3-18) fell in game one of the doubleheader 9-0 as Tulsa secured a no hitter to open the day. Memphis fought in game two, holding the score within two for six innings before closing out with an 8-2 loss. Madison Berner put together a good game for the Tigers, going 2-for-3 at the plate while recording one run, one RBI and one double in the process.

Tulsa 9, Memphis 0

HOW IT HAPPENED

•       Tulsa struck first as Haley Morgan singled to left field, advancing to third on a fielding error, bringing in MacKenzie Denson for the first run of the game in the top of the first inning. The Golden Hurricane added two more runs in the top of the frame; Imani Edwards popped a sacrifice fly to bring in Morgan followed by a solo shot over the center field run by Skaggs to make the score 3-0.
•       Tulsa put up another run as Celeste Wood doubled to center field followed by Emma Vickrey sending a one-run hit deep into right center in the top of the second frame. Morgan tallied a sacrifice fly allowing Vickrey to reach home. The Golden Hurricane added three more runs before closing the top of the frame.
•       Memphis landed its first base runner as McKaylee Polk was tossed her fourth ball from Maura Moore on a full count in the bottom of the second inning. Polk would be left stranded as Moore struck out the next three batters.
•       The Golden Hurricane put another run on the board after Denson tripled to the right field wall and was brought in on the next play as Morgan grounded out to third base in the top of the third frame.
•       Arianna Cox-Cole reached first base after being hit by the pitch with two outs in the bottom of the third frame. Cox-Cole was then tagged as the final out of the inning on a fielder's choice by the shortstop.
•       Zoe Adebayo and Khamiyah Brown battled with the pitcher to each secure a walk in the bottom of the fourth inning. Despite having two base runners the Tigers were unable to convert runs in the frame.

NOTABLES

•       Three Tigers reached base in the game: Polk, Cox-Cole, Adebayo and Khamiyah Brown.
•       Abigail Morgan got the start going 1.0 inning with one strikeout. Rylee Dugar made an appearance in the circle coming in as relief in the top of the second inning and finished the game with 4.0 innings of work and one strikeout.
•       Memphis held Tulsa scoreless in the final two innings of the game, giving up just two hits.

Tulsa 8, Memphis 2

HOW IT HAPPENED

•       Adebayo hit the ball just fair off first base, recording the first hit of the game in the bottom of the first inning. Adebayo would be unable to convert a run in the frame.
•       Berner recorded the second hit for the Tigers doubling to the center field wall in the bottom of the second frame. Presley Morris would hit a sacrifice bunt to advance Berner to third however Memphis was unable to add a run to its stat line.
•       Tulsa loaded the bases in the top of the third frame. The Tigers were able to hold off two runs off back-to-back fielder's choices, but Claira Skaggs made contact for a two-run single to center field bringing in Denson and Morgan.
•       Morris and Adebayo turned a double play in the top of the fourth frame, taking out Tulsa runners at first and second base.
•       The Golden Hurricane retaliated, as Maci Cole reached on an error by the shortstop to increase the lead by one in the top of the fourth inning.
•       Memphis got on the board as Berner hit a one-run shot through the middle sending in Polk in the bottom of the fourth frame. Berner reached home for run number two of the inning off a throwing error from the shortstop to cut the lead in half.
•       Tulsa put up two more runs to open the top of the seventh inning as Skaggs singled to send Imani Edwards in followed by a double from Jones allowing Skaggs to reach. The Golden Hurricane added one more run before closing the top of the frame.

NOTABLES

•       Four Tigers recorded hits: Berner (2), Polk, Cox-Cole and Adebayo.
•       Taniyah Brown got the start going 6.0 innings with one strikeout. Dugar came in as relief for the final inning for the Tigers.
•       Berner went 2-for-3 at the plate, tallying one run, one double and one RBI in the process.


UP NEXT

•       The Tigers will close their series against Tulsa at Tiger Softball Complex on Sunday, March 10 at 12 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.