Box Score

MOBILE, Ala. -- The University of Evansville softball team fell to UT-Martin by a score of 5-1 in the Aces’ first game of the South Alabama Mardi Gras Tournament.

Freshman Emily Morris made her collegiate debut as the Aces' starting pitcher in the season opener. Morris started out solid for UE, retiring nine of her first 10 batters faced. In the bottom of the fourth inning, she gave up back-to-back singles and had runners at second and third, but was able to get out of the inning undamaged.

UE put the first run of the game on the board in the top of the fifth. Freshman Niki Rahming led off with an infield single before advancing to second on a stolen base. Sophomore Halie Malone drove a fly ball to right field to advance Rahming to third. Freshman Katie Sears reached base on an infield single before stealing second base to put runners at second and third. Senior Jen Stahlhut was able to put the ball in play, reaching first base on a fielder’s choice. Rahming was thrown out at the plate, but Sears was able to score behind her, giving UE the 1-0 lead.

UT-Martin rallied back in the bottom of the fifth, using a single and two home runs to take a 3-1 lead before the Aces could get out of the inning.

In the bottom of the sixth, the Skyhawks added their fourth run with a single followed by a double down the left field line. Sophomore Kendall Kautz entered the game to pitch for Morris with a Skyhawk runner at second and nobody out. UT-Martin’s Kate Vanderham singled to left field to push across the Skyhawk’s fifth run. Kautz used a strikeout, a fielder’s choice and a runner caught stealing to get out of the jam.

UE was unable to retaliate in the top of the seventh and the Skyhawks walked away with the 5-1 win.
 
Sears led the Aces with two hits and one stolen base while scoring the Aces’ only run.

The Aces will return to the field at 4:45 today to wrap up day one of the Mardi Gras Tournament against the UT-Chattanooga Lady Mocs. UTC will play Ohio State immediately before facing the Aces.