MEMPHIS, Tenn. – A combined effort in the circle by the University of Memphis softball team held the National Pro Fastpitch All-Stars to just one hit in a 3-0 exhibition loss on Friday night at Gameday’s First Tennessee Fields.
The Tigers mixed up their five pitchers every inning to hold Team NPF, a team that included four Olympians, without a hit through the first 5 2/3 innings. Angeline Quiocho recorded the only hit in the game with a soft infield single to short in the sixth inning for Team NPF.
“I think it was a great opportunity to play them (Team NPF),” said Memphis head coach Natalie Poole. “They are a very talented team. It’s great for the community. We had an opportunity to work on some things we needed to work on and being challenged in the greatest way by playing some great athletes.”
The game marked the beginning of the NPF Back to School Tour that pits the All-Stars against college teams across the country. Team NPF will play 18 more games at 16 stops during the tour that also began in Memphis last fall.
The Tigers stranded six runners in the game and had runners in scoring position in the first, fifth and seventh innings.
The U of M’s best scoring opportunity came in the bottom of the fifth inning. With runners on second and third with one out, Memphis pinch runner Ashleigh King was thrown out attempting to score from third on a failed squeeze attempt.
Team NPF scored two runs in the first inning on two errors. The All-Stars later added an unearned run in the seventh.
Memphis pitching combined for eight strikeouts, including three by both junior Carly Hummel and freshman Jordan Richwood in each of their two innings of work.
Jamee Juarez earned the victory for Team NPF after pitching the first four innings and striking out eight with one walk. Taryne Mowatt picked up the save with three scoreless innings in relief with five strikeouts and three walks. Hummel took the loss, allowing two runs on one hit with three strikeouts and a walk.
Memphis will close out its fall schedule next week with a pair of doubleheaders at home. The Tigers will play two against Mississippi Valley State at the Tiger Softball Complex on Friday at 5 and 7 p.m. Memphis then plays a doubleheader on Sunday, Oct. 9, against Christian Brothers at 2 and 4 p.m
About USSSA Florida Pride:
The USSSA Florida Pride is a professional franchise in the National Pro Fastpitch League that is owned and operated by USSSA. The amateur organization of USSSA has multi-sport coverage and encompasses teams and players from the United States and abroad.
About NPF:
National Pro Fastpitch is headquartered in Nashville, TN. The league, created to give elite female fastpitch players the opportunity to pursue a professional career in their chosen sport, has operated since 1997 under the names of Women’s Pro Fastpitch (WPF) and Women’s Pro Softball League (WPSL). NPF is the Official Development Partner of Major League Baseball in the category of women’s fastpitch softball since 2002.
About USSSA:
The United States Specialty Sports Association (USSSA), headquartered in Osceola County, Florida, USSSA is the World’s Largest Multi-sport Athletic Organization. Founded in 1968, USSSA has grown to over 3.7 million participants, competing in 13 nationally sanctioned sports including Baseball, Fastpitch, Slow Pitch, Karate, Basketball, Soccer and more! For more information on USSSA and to register your team visit USSSA.com. Also be sure to visit USSSAToday.com for the latest USSSA News!