Softball Hosts Wichita State in Conference Series

Friday, April 12

Memphis, Tenn.

3 PM

University of Memphis

Wichita State

Photo by: Matthew Smith

Apr 11, 2019 | Softball

Doubleheader Friday starts at 3 p.m.

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – After playing eight of the last 10 on the road, the Memphis softball team returns home for a three-game series against Wichita State. The teams will play a double header on Friday starting at 3 p.m. at the Tigers Softball Complex. Saturday's originally scheduled TV giveaway and ice cream promotion has been moved to May 4.

Games 42-44
Memphis (21-20 (3-6 AAC)) vs. Wichita State (23-19 (4-5 AAC))
Friday first pitch: 3 p.m. CT
Location: Tigers Softball Complex
Live Stats | Watch

The Tigers return home after falling to Mississippi State on Wednesday. Despite scoring first, the offense would come slowly for Memphis. Ryleigh Aungst hit a team-leading sixth home run in the fourth inning, driving in Gracie Morton. Aungst would tie a career-high with three RBI in the game. The Tigers also matched a season-high by drawing seven walks.

Two Tigers hold batting averages over .300 on the season, led by Baylee Smith's .374 batting average. Ashley Threatt checks in at second on the team, hitting .343. The two have combined for 79 hits, 14 doubles and 10 home runs. Threatt, Aungst and Regan Hadley are all tied at the top of the roster with six home runs on the season.

For the year, the Memphis pitching corps enter the weekend with a 3.75 ERA, with a total of 190 strikeouts between all pitchers. Mariah Nichols' 80 strikeouts lead the team, while Karli Perque stands second with 69 strikeouts. Perque holds the team's lowest opposing batting average, allowing just a .226 batting average for opposing hitters. Bayleigh Wisher has thrown 65.1 innings for Memphis and has a 6-2 record.

Memphis currently sits tied with Houston for sixth-place in the conference standings, just a game behind Wichita State and UConn, who are tied for fourth.

A Look At The Competition
Wichita State heads into the weekend after dropping both games of a midweek double header against No. 18 Georgia. In game two, Madison Perrigan smacked her team-leading ninth home run in the first inning.

Ryleigh Buck tops the Shockers with a .331 batting average, collecting 40 hits, six doubles, a triple and five home runs. Wichita State boasts power up and down its lineup, with 11 different batters recording a home run this season.

The Shockers pitching staff carries a 4.52 ERA, with Hailey Martinez with the team-best 4.08 in 39.2 innings. Erin McDonald has thrown the most innings on the team, logging 131.1 innings of time in the circle. The Norman, Oklahoma native has an 8-9 record and has 82 strikeouts this season.

Memphis and Wichita State have only faced off five times in total, with Memphis holding a 3-2 series lead. Last season, the Tigers took two of three in the series in Wichita, including a 10-7 win in extra innings in game three of the series.

Final Details
First pitch in Friday's double header is set for 3 p.m. CT at the Tigers Softball Complex. Live stats and a free stream will be available at www.gotigersgo.com. For all of the latest updates on the Memphis softball team, including schedule changes, follow the Tigers on social media at @MemphisSoftball.