Box Score
Austin, Texas (2/8/13) - The North Texas softball team won its season opener against Memphis, 6-2, on Friday afternoon at Red & Charline McCombs Field.
The Mean Green improves to 1-0, while the Tigers are now 0-1. North Texas is now 7-3 in season-opening games and 2-1 in the series against Memphis.
Junior Ashley Kirk picked up her first win of the season in the circle for the Mean Green. She pitched a one-hit shutout through six innings of play. She gave up two runs off three hits in the seventh inning. The right-hander pitched four perfect innings before giving up a hit in the fifth. She struck out six and walked three.
The Mean Green bats started clicking in the third inning with two runs, and then added runs in the fifth and sixth innings to seal the win. North Texas outhit the Tigers, 9-4.
North Texas started four freshmen in the opening game, and the newcomers recorded four of the team's nine hits. Paige Kisling led the way with two hits and two RBI. Senior Lesley Hirsch was the other player with a multi-hit game, going 2-for-3 with two runs scored.
North Texas took a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the third off three hits. With two outs, Hirsch reached base with a bouncy infield single to the shortstop. After Hirsch stole second, freshman Kisling brought her home with an infield single to the second baseman that scooted away from the fielder.
Brooke Foster followed Kisling with a towering double to right field that bounced off the wall. Kisling scored from first to put NT ahead, 2-0.
The Mean Green loaded the bases in the fifth inning and brought home another run with a Dani Hoff sacrifice fly. Karly Williams led off the inning with a single to the third baseman. Hirsch drew a walk, and Kisling reached base on a fielding error to load the bases.
North Texas added three runs in the sixth. Jordan Terry started the action with a walk. She later scored from third off a groundout by Williams. Kisling plated a second RBI with an infield single, and Hirsch scored from third, while Kisling was caught in a rundown.
Four freshmen made their first starts against Memphis: Paige Kisling at centerfield, Taylor Schoblocher at left field, Bryana Wade at catcher and Karly Williams at second base. Madison Tierney subbed in during the sixth inning at left field.
North Texas faces No. 7 Texas at 6 p.m. The game is televised on Longhorn Network.
