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Memphis 6, Iowa State 4 (Paradise Classic, Honolulu, Hawaii)
Memphis kicked off the 2020 season with a 6-4 win over Iowa State to open the Paradise Classic in Honolulu, Hawaii, on Thursday night. The Tigers (1-0) erased a 2-0 deficit against the Cyclones (0-1) and scored six unanswered runs from the third through seventh innings in the victory.
Sara Ann Davidson smashed a solo home run to center field in the top of the third inning and scored two runs for Memphis, while Sam Ibison finished with a team-high three hits. Baylee Smith and Brady Rowland each notched a pair of base hits for the Tigers, and Delaney Smith scored two runs.
Chyanne Ellett (1-0) threw six innings of five-hit relief in the circle for Memphis, walking two with five strikeouts. Karli Perque spun a scoreless final 0.2 innings with a strikeout to earn her first save of the year.
UCF 8, Indiana 0 (6) (Black and Gold Tournament, Orlando, Florida)
UCF started its 2020 campaign on a high note, dominating Big Ten foe Indiana 8-0 in six innings at the Black and Gold Tournament at the UCF Softball Stadium. The Knights (1-0) scored five runs in the bottom of the sixth inning against Indiana (0-1) to close the contest early.
Karissa Omelas fashioned a 2-for-3 day at the plate that included a solo home run in the second and RBI single in the sixth for UCF, and Justene Molina added an RBI and two runs scored to the cause for the Knights. Jada Cody and Jazmine Esparza chipped in RBI in the UCF win.
Alea White (1-0) spun six shutout frames on the mound to earn the victory, scattering four hits and two walks with eight strikeouts on 97 pitches. Only one Indiana baserunner advanced past second base against White during the contest.
Wichita State 8, Maryland 0 (6)/No. 6 Texas 10, Wichita State 2 (6) (Texas Classic, Austin Texas)
Wichita State split a pair of games to kick off the season on Thursday, racing past Maryland 8-0 before falling to No. 6 Texas 10-2 during the Texas Classic at McCombs Field in Austin, Texas. The Shockers (1-1) were the lone team from The American to compete twice on opening day.
In the win over Maryland (0-1), Ryleigh Buck ripped two hits and scored three runs for Wichita State, while Madison Perrigan went 2-for-4 with a home run and two RBI. The long ball was the 31st career home run for Perrigan, just five short of the all-time record in The American. Kaylee Huecker added a pair of hits, including a triple, and contributed an RBI for the Shockers.
Bailey Lange (1-0) yielded two hits in six full innings of work, walking two and striking out 11. It was her first appearance since suffering a season-ending injury last February during her senior season.
Perrigan and Sydney McKinney each had a hit and a run against Texas (1-0) ace Miranda Elish. Erin McDonald (0-1) allowed seven runs on seven hits in 4.2 innings, to go along with three walks and two strikeouts.
Illinois State 9, No. RV USF 3
Illinois State added four insurance runs in the top of the seventh inning to defeat No. RV USF 9-3 on Thursday at the USF Softball Stadium. The Bulls (0-1) had clawed back from a 5-0 deficit to make it a 5-3 score in favor of Illinois State (1-0) before the seventh-inning surge by the visitors.
Brooke Hartman and Aliyah Carter each logged RBI for USF, and Megan Pierro added a stolen base and scored a run. Brooke Leistl finished the game with a team-high two hits.
Georgina Corrick (0-1) surrendered four earned runs on six hits in 2.1 innings, striking out four Illinois State batters in the loss. Camryn Dolby tossed four no-hit innings of relief with six walks and six strikeouts for the Bulls.