Before the season started, Trena Prater told the Daily Helmsman that she wanted Memphis Softball to have a better record in the first two weeks than they did in the last two years. She has now done just that.
After picking up a pair of victories against Mississippi Valley State, she has surpassed last season's win total and equaled the wins of the 2021-22 team in just 11 games.
The first game was a complete game on both sides of the ball. The Tigers finished with 11 hits on no errors in an 8-0 win highlighted by Rylee Dugar completing only the 14th no-hitter in program history.
"It honestly felt amazing," said Dugar after the double header. "I haven't felt that feeling in a while and being able to trust my teammates that they're going to make every play for me and not have to worry having to get every batter out myself."
In game two, the weather was freezing cold but the bats were hotter than ever. Three different Tigers finished with a home run, including Drue Thomas blasting a grand slam to left which capped off a 16 run second inning and propelled Memphis to the 19-0 win in five innings. This was only the 15th grand slam in the history of Memphis Softball.
They also picked up 16 RBIs on 17 hits in a game where Memphis had more runs scored (19) than MVSU had at-bats (16).
"It was amazing, it was fun, and I felt like it was long overdue," said Thomas about her grand slam, which was her first career home run. "It was just a good feeling and I feel like it's just been waiting to happen."
The Tigers are back in action on the road at the I-75 Challenge, highlighted by a double header against Georgia State and a game vs No. 24 Kentucky.
