Memphis Splits Results on Final Day of Northwestern State Classic

Sunday, February 16

Natchitoches, La.

9 AM

University of Memphis

5-3

Jacksonville State

6-2

Jacksonville State

Memphis

Photo by: Steven Spehar

Memphis Splits Results on Final Day of Northwestern State Classic

Feb 16, 2025 | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

NATCHITOCHES, La. – After falling to Jacksonville State in the first game of the day, Memphis softball battled back to defeat Northwestern State on the final day of the Northwestern State Classic on Sunday.

GAME ONE: Memphis 1, Jacksonville State 7

HOW IT HAPPENED

Taniyah Brown kept the Gamecocks at bay, recording four strikeouts in her first two innings in the circle.
After two scoreless innings, the scoring began when Ashley Phillips hit a solo home run to put Jacksonville State ahead.
The Gamecocks were threatening with bases loaded, but an interference call while Aubrey Williams was attempting to field a ground ball helped the Tigers get out of the situation without allowing a run.
Williams came up to the plate after Neely Taylor singled and advanced to second on a sacrifice. The sophomore shortstop found grass in the outfield, scoring Taylor to tie the game at one run apiece.
Jacksonville State regained the lead on two RBI singles in the sixth inning, making the score 3-1.
The Gamecocks put the game out of reach with RBI doubles from Ashley Phillips and Abbi Perkins before Emma Elrod sent a ball over the wall in left center for a two-run home run.
- Memphis would go down in order to end the game.

NOTABLES

Neely Taylor extended her hitting streak to eight games, the longest active streak on Memphis.
- Kennedy Semien had her seven-game hitting streak snapped after going 0-for-3.
Memphis' four hits against Jacksonville State are the lowest single-game total by the Tigers.
- The previous mark was six hits against Lindenwood (02/08) and Jacksonville State (02/15).
After this result, five Tigers (Neely Taylor, Kennedy Semien, Taniyah Brown, McKaylee Polk, Zoe Adebayo) hold an OPS of at least 1.000.

GAME TWO: Memphis 3, Northwestern State 2

HOW IT HAPPENED

Memphis got on the board quickly when Zoe Adebayo singled through the middle, scoring Taniyah Brown for the game's first run.
After being held scoreless in the first inning, the Lady Demons took the lead on a two-RBI single by Cash Herber.
Zoe Adebayo led the Tiger offense again in the third inning, launching a ball to deep dead center for a home run to tie the game.
The next inning, Neely Taylor doubled over the left fielder's head to give Memphis the lead.
After Rylee Dugar only allowed two runs over 4.1 innings, Taniyah Brown came in and earned the save by only allowing one Northwestern State batter reach first base over the final 2.2 innings.

NOTABLES

Neely Taylor extended her team-leading hitting streak to nine games, totaling 14 hits in the 2025 season.
- Taylor's 14 hits are tied with Kennedy Semien for the team lead.
- Taylor also carries the team lead in doubles (4) and is tied for the team lead in triples (1) and extra-base hits (5).
Through nine games, Memphis has recorded 23 extra-base hits.
Taniyah Brown recorded her first career save in an extended outing of just under three innings pitched.
In two games against Northwestern State this past weekend, Memphis did not allow a single extra-base hit.
After the completion of the Northwestern State Classic, four Tigers (Neely Taylor, Kennedy Semien, Taniyah Brown, Zoe Adebayo) have eclipsed the 1.000-mark in OPS.

UP NEXT
Memphis returns home to play a doubleheader against Mississippi Valley State on Tuesday, Feb. 18 at 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. Both games will be broadcast on ESPN+.

HOW TO FOLLOW THE TIGERS
For complete information on Memphis Tigers Softball, visit www.GoTigersGo.com and follow the team's social media channels on Twitter, Instagram , and Facebook.