MEMPHIS, Tenn. \u2013\u00a0On the backs of two complete game wins in the circle, the University of Memphis (7-13) softball team will carry a two-game winning streak going into conference play after taking both games of a Tuesday doubleheader against Oakland (8-6).
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\nThe Tigers showed composure in the pair of one-run ballgames, winning by walk-off in the first and holding Oakland scoreless over the final six innings of the second game.
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\nGAME ONE: Memphis 5, Oakland 4
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\nHOW IT HAPPENED<\/p>\n
GAME TWO: Memphis 2, Oakland 1
NOTABLES<\/p>\n
UP NEXT
\n\tMemphis started the game on a deficit as Oakland’s Autumn Liebhauser hit a home run on the fifth pitch of the game, pushing the Grizzlies out to an early lead.
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\n\t\tIt was the 10th home run allowed by Avery Stutts<\/a> this season.
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\n\tThe Tigers responded by adding to their first inning run total with an RBI triple off the bat of Neely Taylor<\/a>, followed by an RBI double by Faith Brown<\/a> that brought Taylor home.
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\n\t\tParis Brienesse<\/a> scored the first run after singling in the first pitch of her at-bat and coming home on Taylor’s triple.
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\n\tMemphis extended to its lead with an RBI double from Paris Brienesse<\/a> and Brienesse later scoring on a single up the middle by Ariel Davis<\/a>.
\n\tAn error on a fielder’s choice in the fourth inning led to Oakland’s second run as a possible double play ended with the ball in right field with Kamryn Troyer scoring.
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\n\t\tA second error on the following play allowed Kayla Rodriguez to score, making the game 4-3 in favor of Memphis.
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\n\tWith a chance to add insurance runs in the fifth, Jasmine Mack<\/a> stepped in as a pinch hitter with the bases loaded and popped out to the shortstop to end the inning.
\n\tIn the top of the sixth inning, a shot by Addison Kopp fell just shy of a diving Kennedy Semien<\/a>, resulting in an RBI triple that tied the game.
\n\tAfter Avery Stutts<\/a> completed the seventh inning by sending Oaklands batters down in order, Memphis manufactured offense and ended the game with a walk-off win.
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\n\t\tAriel Davis<\/a> reached on a hit-by-pitch and made it to second on a wild pitch.
\n\t\tFaith Brown<\/a> reached on a single while attempting Davis to third.
\n\t\tMya Clark<\/a> singled to the shortstop after no throw was attempted.
\n\t\tAfter Kylie Waldrep<\/a>‘s pinch-hit at-bat ended in a fielder’s choice, Kennedy Semien<\/a> sent a shot down the right-field line, resulting in a walk-off single.
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\n\tAvery Stutts<\/a> earned her second win of the year, also coming in complete-game fashion with 81 pitches thrown and two strikeouts.
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\nHOW IT HAPPENED<\/p>\n
\n\tAs with the first game of the doubleheader, both sides put runs up in the first inning, beginning with a sacrifice fly off the bat of Kayla Turmell.
\n\tMemphis responded in the bottom half of the first with Ariel Davis<\/a>‘ fifth home run of the season.
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\n\t\tThe Tigers could have taken the lead on this swing, but a popped-up bunt resulted in a double play after Paris Brienesse<\/a> led off the inning with a single.
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\n\tThe Tigers took the lead on what became the game-winning run on a sacrifice fly by Faith Brown<\/a>.
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\n\t\tIt marked Brown’s fifth career sacrifice fly, moving her into a seven-way tie for career sacrifice flies. She is one away from tying the program’s career record of six sacrifice flies, held by Brooke Lee and Leila Dolfo.
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\n\tThe Tigers displayed stellar defense in the fourth inning, as Aubrey Williams<\/a> threw out a pinch runner after Oakland’s Kenna Bommarito singled and was run for.
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\n\t\tMemphis also ended the inning when the Grizzlies’ Storm Kentros attempted to advance to third on a missed diving play in the outfield and was thrown out to end the inning.
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\n\tThe final nine Oakland batters went down in order, resulting in a complete game victory for Jericho Tate<\/a>.
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\n\tFour of Memphis’ games have resulted in a walk-off scenario, and the Tigers sit at an even 2-2 in those competitions.
\n\tParis Brienesse<\/a> was 4-for-7 on the day with a double, RBI and three runs scored.
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\n\t\tShe moves into the team lead in batting average, now sitting at .400 on the season.
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\n\tKennedy Semien<\/a> finished 3-for-6 at the plate with one RBI, coming on her first career walk-off hit.
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\n\t\tShe is also the first Tiger to reach 10 walks on the season.
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\n\tFaith Brown<\/a> continued to succeed in her opportunities with a two-double, two-RBI performance today.
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\n\tAriel Davis<\/a> was 3-for-6 on the day with a solo home run for her fifth of the season.
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\n\t\tShe is already two home runs away from a top-10 home run season and five away from matching last season’s home run leader (Zoe Adebayo<\/a>; 10).
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\n\tNeely Taylor<\/a> finished the day with two hits, including an RBI triple in the first game of the afternoon.
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\n\t\tThe triple was Taylor’s third of her career.
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\n\tDeana Cunningham<\/a> laid down a sacrifice bunt in the first game of the day for her seventh of the year.
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\n\t\tCunningham is two sacrifice hits shy of finding herself in the top 10 in single-season program history.
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\n\tZereniti Sousa<\/a> reached twice against Oakland, being hit by a pitch on both occasions in the same game.
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\n\t\tIt was the third time a player has been hit twice in the same game this season, with both prior occurrences being Kylie Waldrep<\/a>.
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\n\tIn the circle, Avery Stutts<\/a> recorded an 81-pitch complete game victory.
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\n\t\tBoth of her wins this season have come by way of the complete game.
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\n\tJericho Tate<\/a> also picked up her second win of the season, throwing just 72 pitches in a complete-game performance with three strikeouts.
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\nMemphis is set for the opening weekend of American Conference play, hosting South Florida this weekend with start times of 5 p.m., 2 p.m. and 11 a.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, respectively. All three games will be broadcast on ESPN+.
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\nHOW TO FOLLOW THE TIGERS
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\nFor complete information on\u202fMemphis Tigers Softball, visit\u00a0www.GoTigersGo.com<\/a>\u00a0and follow the team’s social media channels on\u202fTwitter<\/a>,\u202fInstagram<\/a>,<\/a>\u202fand\u202fFacebook<\/a>.
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