UT MARTIN SOFTBALL DROPS PAIR OF DECISIONS AT BLUES CITY CLASSIC

Friday, March 1

Memphis, Tenn.

11 a.m.

UT Martin

8-5

Sam Houston State

6-11

Sam Houston State

UT Martin

UT MARTIN SOFTBALL DROPS PAIR OF DECISIONS AT BLUES CITY CLASSIC

3/1/2019 3:30:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2 Game 13: PDF Game 14: PDF

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The University of Tennessee at Martin softball team opened its stay at the Blues City Classic on the wrong foot, dropping both contests on the day to Sam Houston State (8-0) and Loyola (4-3).

Game 13: Sam Houston State 8, UT Martin 0 (Five innings)
Sam Houston jumped out on the Skyhawks early and often. In the first inning, a three-run home run by Bailey White got the ball rolling before a solo blast by Brooke Malia made it a four-run deficit out of the gates. The Bearkats would tack on another pair of runs on a two-run single to left center by Sheridan Fisher to put the squad on top 6-0 after one inning.

The Bearkats would strike again in the top of the fifth inning with a two-run single up the middle by pinch-hitter Hunter Ervin to enact the mercy rule ending.
For as explosive as Sam Houston State was on offense, Lindsey McLeod was equally as dynamic in the circle. McLeod notched her third win of the season by pitching five perfect innings while striking out 10.

Hannah Ridolfi (3-2) was tagged with the loss after lasting just two-thirds of an inning and allowing six earned runs. Caitlin Karo appeared in relief, allowing two runs over 3.2 innings of work while Erin Gallagher pitched the final two-third of the fifth inning, holding her opponents scoreless while recording one strikeout.

Game 14: Loyola 4, UT Martin 3
Unlike in the first game of the day, UT Martin jumped out to an early lead. A full-count walk by Aalia Bivens set up the inning as she quickly stole second to move into scoring positon. From there Kallie Pickens tallied her first career RBI with a single through the left side to put the Skyhawks on top.

Loyola would strike back to tie the game in the bottom half of the inning. Back-to-back base hits led off the inning for the Ramblers before Nova Sinskul drove in the tying run with a single up the middle.

UT Martin jumped back out in front in the top of the third. A leadoff single by Alexis Rogers kick-started the inning before being pulled for pinch runner Gabbi Campbell at second who then stole third. Alli Fulcher would then draw a full-count walk of her own before swiping second to leave runners at second and third with two outs. With runners in prime scoring position, Gracyn McBride singled down the left field line to plate the pair and take a 3-1 advantage.

The Ramblers answered in the bottom of the sixth when a hit batter sparked a two-run inning. With a runner on first, Sinskul stroked a double to right center to trim the margin to one. She was not done however as she stole third before coming home on a single through the left side to tie the game at 3-3.

Loyola would complete the comeback attempt in the bottom of the seventh. Shannon McGee led off the inning with a double to right center before Allyson Ivey tallied the game-winner with a single up the middle to secure a 4-3 walkoff victory.

Lexi Ray (3-2) was credited with the loss despite a fairly strong outing. Ray would allow four earned runs in 6.1 innings of work before being relieved by Erin Gallagher in the bottom of the seventh. Gallagher would not record an out, giving up the game-winning single to score the inherited runner.

UT Martin will wrap up its stay in the Blues City Classic on Saturday, March 2. The Skyhawks will take on Mississippi Valley State at 9 a.m. before playing host Memphis at 11:15 a.m.