The University of Memphis (33-16) will travel to face Central Arkansas (24-21) on Tuesday in a midweek softball matchup. The Sugar Bears will be the last non-conference opponent the Tigers face in the regular season, and the first pitch is scheduled for 5 p.m. at Farris Field.
Head coach Natalie Poole is having her best season since taking the reins of the program in 2012. She earned her most wins in a season at Georgia Southern in 2006, when she and the Eagles got 35 wins. The best season in Memphis’ program history was in 2011 with 36 wins and a postseason appearance. Central Arkansas is one of seven matchups left for Memphis before heading to Tampa for the American Athletic Conference Championship.
“I just think of it as us getting just one step closer to being where we want to be in the end, and continuing to win will help that, and being able to get those wins just helps us continue to build some confidence as we head towards a conference tournament as well,” Poole said after Saturday’s doubleheader.
Areas of improvement
The Tigers pulled out a close win Friday against Connecticut. While both teams struggled to score, Brooke Lee’s solo home run gave the Tigers the 1-0 victory. In Saturday’s doubleheader, the Tigers run-ruled the Huskies in game two and kept the bases loaded in the bottom of the sixth, but in game three, the Huskies run-ruled Memphis, 10-0.
In game three, Memphis struggled for consistency from the mound and placed four different pitchers in the circle. The Huskies forced Mariah Nichols to be replaced by Molly Smith, but Smith also struggled, so Bayleigh Wisher came to pitch. The Huskies were able to score a total of 10 runs against those three, but Katie Brignac came out, and the Huskies were unable to extend their lead. The Tigers will hope to see strong pitching against the Sugar Bears.
A look at the opponent
The Tigers and Sugar Bears have seen six common opponents this season in UT Martin, Alcorn State, Mississippi State, Ole Miss, Stephen F. Austin and Southeastern Louisiana.
The Sugar Bears are coming off a loss where they were run-ruled against Southeastern Louisiana. The Bears had one hit and three errors that allowed Southeastern Louisiana to earn the 8-0 shutout.
The Sugar Bears have a team batting average of .266 and have four players consistently batting over .300.
Their pitchers have a 3.38 ERA, allowed 22 home runs and pitched 118 strikeouts.
Players to watch
Memphis catcher Regan Hadley
Hadley has started in 48 of the Tigers’ 49 games this season. She has been a consistent catcher, but she shined on offense this weekend. She has 20 RBIs and seven doubles this season. Hadley was productive at the plate. She had a single RBI and her third triple of the season against UConn.
Memphis shortstop Kyler Trosclair Klatt
Trosclair Klatt broke the all-time hits record for the program over the weekend. The senior has a total of 238 career hits and is one shy of tying her best in a season at 69. She is tied for the lead in RBIs at 33 and has the best batting average of the team at .412. Another strong performance from the senior could help the Tigers pick up their 34th win.
Central Arkansas infielder Kate Meyers
The senior is one of three players to have appeared in every game for the Sugar Bears this season. She has a .331 batting average and 41 hits: the second most on the team. She leads the team with 13 doubles and 33 RBIs. She has stolen four bases and has scored 20 runs this season, including four home runs.
Molly Smith gets set to pitch against UConn. The senior pitcher has a 187.0 ERA and has pitched 189 strikeout for Memphis.
Regan Hadley gets ready to swing. The junior catcher has had 20 RBIs, seven doubles and three triples this season.
