Davis Logs Two-Homer Performance, Tigers Fall to Wildcats and Aggies

Saturday, February 21

Memphis, Tenn.

1 p.m.

University of Memphis

3-7

Kentucky

11-4

Kentucky

Memphis

Davis Logs Two-Homer Performance, Tigers Fall to Wildcats and Aggies

Feb 21, 2026 | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The University of Memphis (3-8) softball team went winless in its first two games of the Blues City Invitational against Kentucky and North Carolina A&T.

Memphis fell behind and was never able to climb back against Kentucky, with a four-run seventh inning making the difference. In the second game, a two-home run game by Ariel Davis wasn't enough as a six-run third inning by the Aggies shifted momentum that held in North Carolina A&T's favor through the second half of the contest.

GAME ONE: Memphis 1, Kentucky 7

HOW IT HAPPENED

It seemed to be a pitchers' duel early as there were only four hits combined through the first three innings.
The first runs of the game came in a way that became more common as the game went on, with a two-run home run by Allie Blum giving the Wildcats the first lead of the contest.
Memphis continued to be held to one hit through five innings as Kentucky added a run on a solo shot by Maddy Anson.
The Tigers' lone run of the contest came on an RBI single by Mya Clark, who brought in Paris Brienesse from second.
- Brienesse reentered after being pinch hit for by Kylie Waldrep, who doubled to left.
Kentucky put the game out of reach with four runs in the top of the seventh from Anson's second home run of the game, an RBI single by Blum and a two-run homer by Carly Sleeman.
- The Tigers went down in order in the bottom half with two pinch hitters entering.

GAME TWO: Memphis 5, North Carolina A&T 8

HOW IT HAPPENED

The Tigers jumped out to a lead on just the third pitch of their first at-bat when Ariel Davis sent one over the wall in left-center.
Memphis continued to build a lead with a two-run home run by Aubrey Williams and a second home run off the bat of Ariel Davis, resulting in four runs in the inning.
- Williams' home run was the first of her career.
- With her second home run of the game, Davis logged the 23^rd two-homer game in program history.
The third inning spelled disaster for the Tigers with North Carolina A&T putting up six runs, thanks in part to two Tiger errors.
- The first run came across on a throwing error by Davis with the bases loaded.
- Another came home on a Taniyah Thomas RBI single.
- With the bases loaded, Jaden James launched her second grand slam of the day to bring the Aggies' inning run total to six.
  - James had hit a grand slam earlier in the day during a neutral site game against Northern Illinois.
The Aggies added one more run in the fourth on an RBI groundout by Shandi Brown.
The Tigers offense went quietly in the third and fourth innings, stranding two runners in each, including after a double by Davis.
- The double gave Davis 10 total bases in the game, tied for the third-most in a single game by a Tiger and the first time a Memphis player hit the mark since Leila Dolfo in 2008.
Another error by the Memphis defense in the fifth led to a North Carolina A&T run on a bases-loaded RBI single by Ayanna Mears.
Down to its final three outs, only one baserunner reached in the bottom of the seventh when Zereniti Sousa drew a walk.
Jazmine Chavez weathered the storm with three scoreless innings out of the bullpen, striking out four across the final three frames.

NOTABLES

Memphis' game against Kentucky was the first game between the two programs to be played in either Memphis or Lexington.
- The previous four contests had taken place at neutral sites during early season tournaments.
With its loss to North Carolina A&T, Memphis is now 2-4 in games where the Tigers were the first to score.
Seven of the eight runs allowed by Memphis against the Aggies were unearned due to a season-high five errors.
- Those errors were the most since the 2024 season when Memphis had three games with seven defensive errors.
Memphis reached 12 team home runs in three fewer games than the previous season.
Ariel Davis was 4-for-6 throughout today's games, including a three-hit, two-home run performance against North Carolina A&T.
- Davis was the first Memphis player since 2024 with a two-homer game and the 23^rd time in program history that a player hit the mark.
- Her 10 total bases (2 HR, 1 2B) are tied for the third-most in a single game in program history and she becomes the first player to reach the mark since Leila Dolfo in 2008.
- She and Mya Clark are tied for the team lead with three home runs each.
Zereniti Sousa was 2-for-4 in the day, also drawing a team-high three walks through the two games.
- Among qualified hitters, Sousa carries Memphis' second-highest on-base percentage of .444.
- She also now leads the team in walks with seven.
Kylie Waldrep finished the day with one hit, coming on a pinch-hit double against Kentucky.
Mya Clark finished with one hit in the contest, an RBI single against Kentucky.
- Clark leads the Tigers this season with nine RBI.
Aubrey Williams' lone hit of the day resulted in her first collegiate home run, coming from a two-run shot against North Carolina A&T.
Taylor Caton and Paris Brienesse each logged a run scored in the day, with Caton scoring against the Aggies and Brienesse against the Wildcats after reentering as a pinch runner.
Jericho Tate tossed 2.2 innings while just allowing one earned run.
Jazmine Chavez pitched 3.1 innings across the two games, striking out four, allowing just two hits and not allowing a run.

UP NEXT

Memphis finishes out the Blues City Invitational on Sunday against Bradley and Indiana State at 3 p.m. and 5 p.m., respectively. Both games will be broadcast on ESPN+ and will be the final games of a five-game Sunday slate on the final day of the Invitational.

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.