University of Memphis softball will look to advance their record when they host the Belmont Bruins at Tiger Softball Complex Wednesday. The first pitch is scheduled for 5 p.m.
The Tigers are 25-10, tied with the 2011 Tigers’ program history record after 35 games, and this is the best record since head coach Natalie Poole started coaching the program and since the Tigers joined the American Athletic Conference.
The Tigers and Bruins went 1-1 last year. The Tigers got the win early in the season at home but traveled to Belmont and lost 4-5 in 11 innings. The Bruins are ranked 51 in this weeks’ RPI rankings, and the Tigers sit at 63. The Tigers received five votes in this week’s USA Today softball poll. They received votes last week for the first time in program history.
Areas of improvement
The Tigers are coming off a 1-2 series loss to top conference opponent South Florida. The Tigers struggled to get hits in the first two games, and the Bulls had multiple home runs that gave them the wins. After Friday’s loss, Poole said she knew her team could step up better offensively and defensively and “make the necessary adjustments” on offense.
The Tigers saw production from the plate Sunday, getting seven hits. Memphis got the 2-1 victory and stopped Bulls from getting the series sweep in game three Saturday.
The Tigers have a .327 batting average, so they hope to see production from the plate despite the tough defense they will see.
A look at the opponent
The Bruins are 20-7 this season and 1-3 in their conference. They have a .294 batting average, and six players are averaging better than .300. The team has seen a total of 17 home runs this season.
They have also done well on defense. They have held teams to a .198 batting average. Their pitchers have an ERA of 1.77, and Belmont has shut out 11 teams this season.
Players to watch
Senior shortstop Kyler Trosclair Klatt
Trosclair Klatt leads the Tigers offensively with a .440 batting average and 55 hits. She has the 31st best batting average in the country, and her hit total is third.
The senior has 225 hits this season, which is 12 shy of Lindsay Crowdus’ career hit record at 237.
She suffered getting hit by balls last weekend, but continued to fight through. She played well defensively last weekend.
“I really like to see her play her game,” Poole said about Trosclair Klatt after Friday’s loss to USF. “She stayed aggressive, attacked, trusted herself in some plays whether it was to role double play, get an advanced runner or shoot the ball behind. I think she made good decisions on both sides of the ball.”
Belmont pitcher Lexie Rouse
Rouse plays well on both sides of the ball. She has a .382 batting average, eight doubles, eight home runs and 24 RBIs.
She has allowed 16 runs and pitched 16 strikeouts in seven games. She could be a threat to Memphis this weekend.
Kyler Trosclair-Klatt prepares to steal a base against Mississippi State. She finished second on the team with a .394 batting average, the second-highest batting average in program history in the 2017 season.
Brooke Lee runs the bases against Mississippi St. She is one of eight players with a batting average over .300
