Tigers Drop Game One to Blazers, 10-2

Friday, April 12

Birmingham, Ala.

5 PM

University of Memphis

4-31, 1-15

UAB

18-22, 9-7

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	Runs R	Hits H	Errors E
Memphis	0	0	0	0	1	1	2	4	1
UAB	1	2	1	3	1	2	10	9	1

Apr 12, 2024 | Softball

Box Score

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The University of Memphis softball team dropped its first of a three-game series to American Athletic Conference newcomer UAB, 10-2, Friday night at Mary Bowers Field in Birmingham, Alabama.

The Tigers (4-31, 1-15 AAC) struggled to find a rhythm, allowing the Blazers (18-22, 9-7 AAC) to put up runs in each inning of play. Memphis was able to add some push back, scoring runs of their own in the top of the fifth and sixth innings, but were unable to overtake UAB's lead.

UAB 10, Memphis 2

HOW IT HAPPENED
•       The Blazers got on the board first as Olivia Valbak sent a two-out RBI single to the shortstop allowing Auburn Dupree to reach home in the bottom of the first frame.
•       UAB doubled the lead as Aguilar slid across home off an infield RBI single by Mackenzie Droddy in the bottom of the second inning. The Blazers upped the lead as Dupree successfully navigated a rundown at second allowing Droddy in to make it 3-0.
•       Arianna Cox-Cole recorded the Tigers' first hit of the game, singling to the shortstop in the top of the third. Cox-Cole would advance to second on a sacrifice bunt from Kennedy Semien before being left stranded to close the top of the inning.
•       The Blazers continued to add to their lead as Alyssa Aguilar hit a two-out single to the shortstop bringing in Kailey Collett in the bottom of the third.
•       Collett smashed a ball through the middle on loaded bases bringing in two runs for UAB in the bottom of the fourth frame. The Blazers put up one more run making the score 7-0 before closing the inning.
•       Semien earned a base hit of her own, sending a two-out single to center field in the top of the fifth. Zoe Adebayo hit a ball straight down the left field line allowing Semien to round the bases for the Tigers' first run of the game.
•       Dupree earned an RBI of her own as she hit a single up the middle for the Blazers in the bottom of the fifth.
•       Drue Thomas put up her third double of the season sending the ball flying over the centerfielder's head in the top of the sixth. Thomas made her way around the bases and cut the lead to 8-2 as she was brought home on a sacrifice fly to left center from Presley Morris.
•       The Blazers put up a two RBI double to the center field wall from Ant Henderson making the score 10-2 in the bottom of the sixth.

NOTABLES
•       Memphis had four different players tally hits in the matchup: McKaylee Polk, Semien, Thomas and Adebayo.
•       Semien went 1-for1 with one run against the Blazers along with Adebayo going 1-for-2 with an RBI bringing her season total to 14.
•       Taniyah Brown got the start in the circle recording 5.1 innings of work with two strikeouts in the game.

UP NEXT
•       The Tigers will take on UAB in game two on Saturday afternoon at 1 p.m. at Mary Bowers Field.

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.