Softball Falls to ECU in Conference Opener

Friday, March 22

Memphis, Tenn.

5 PM

University of Memphis

15-14, 0-1

ECU

19-11, 1-0

ECU

Memphis

Photo by: Matthew A. Smith

Mar 22, 2019 | Softball

Box Score

Sara Ann Davidson, Gracie Morton launch first career home runs

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The University of Memphis softball team opened the 2019 conference season Friday evening with a 5-4 setback to ECU at the Tigers Softball Complex. The loss drops Memphis to 15-14 overall and 0-1 in American Athletic Conference play.

After getting out of a first-inning jam, the Tigers took an early lead with a solo shot by Gracie Morton. Morton's home run ignited a five hit, three run inning for the Tigers.

ECU responded with one in the top of the second inning. With runners on first and second, a pinch hitter doubled off the wall in left center to drive in a run. A strikeout by Karli Perque and a catch in left by Baylee Smith ended the inning.

The Pirates proceeded to tack on runs in the top of the third and the fourth inning to tie up the contest at 3-3.

In the bottom of the fourth inning, Sara Ann Davidson joined in on the fun with her first collegiate home run. Davidson's home run was a solo shot to left field, lifting the Tigers to a 4-3 lead over the Pirates.

A run in the top of the sixth inning by ECU tied up the contest once again. Momentum ultimately shifted its way to the Pirates as ECU scored one more run in the top of the eighth to take the final lead in the ball game.

Mariah Nichols, who stepped in relief in the top of the seventh inning, was dealt the loss. The trio of Karli Perque, Bayleigh Wisher and Nichols combined to strikeout eight Pirates.

Notables

· Gracie Morton ripped her first collegiate home run in the bottom of the first inning. Morton hit the home run to just left of dead center to give Memphis a 1-0 lead.

· Sara Ann Davidson's home run in the bottom of the fourth inning was also her first collegiate home run.

· The Tigers have hit 19 home runs this season, just four shy of matching the 2018 total of 23. Memphis now has eight different players who have hit a home run this year.

· This was the sixth game this season in which Memphis recorded multiple home runs.

· Ryleigh Aungst, Sara Ann Davidson and Baylee Smith registered multi-hit games for the Tigers. It was Aungst's fourth, Davidson's third and Smith's 10^th multi-hit game of the year.

· Ashley Threatt extended her on-base streak to a team-leading six games with a walk in the first inning.

Up Next

Memphis is scheduled to play game two of the series against ECU at 2 p.m. Saturday afternoon. For more information on the Memphis softball team, follow the Tigers on social media at @MemphisSoftball.