MEMPHIS, Tennessee - - The University of Maine softball team was defeated 8-2 on Friday evening on the campus of the University of Memphis.
 
The Tigers scored the first runs of the spring break contest when Gracie Morton doubled home two of her teammates. Samantha Ibison and Jessie Lamb had both reached on singles before Morton stepped to the plate. Memphis led 2-0 after three complete innings.
 
Responding immediately, Laurine German homered to left field in the top of the fourth inning. It was the senior's second big fly of the 2019 season.
 
Memphis answered the German home run with five runs in the bottom half of the inning. Ryleigh Augunst singled home Baylee Smith, Ibison doubled home two runners, and Jessie Lamb scored two on a single.
 
Kelby Drews continued her hot day at the plate with another double, this time in the top of the fourth inning. Brianna Neely, who had pinch run earlier in the inning, came around to score on the short stop's two bagger.
 
Lamb drove home another run in the bottom of the fifth to give her squad an 8-2 advantage, which would be the final score of the ball game. Maine dropped game one of the 2019 Tiger Invitational.
 
Notes:

• Kylie O'Donnell and Emily Reid combined for 3.0 scoreless innings and three strikeouts. Gabbie Siciliano went 1.0+ while allowing five earned. Lilly Volk threw 2.0 complete, allowed two runs, and struck out one.
• Laurine German launched her second home run of the year, and Kelby Drews was a perfect 3-3 at the dish with two doubles and one RBI.

 
Next: The Black Bears return to the field tomorrow, March 17th for two games. The first pitch of the day is scheduled for 10:00 am against Texas Tech.
 
-UMaine-