Tigers to Host East Carolina in Third Weekend of Conference Play

Friday, March 20

Memphis, Tenn.

5 p.m.

University of Memphis

East Carolina

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Tigers to Host East Carolina in Third Weekend of Conference Play

Mar 19, 2026 | Softball

Memphis Game Notes East Carolina Game Notes American Conference Weekly Release

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Memphis softball continues a short homestand with a three-game series against East Carolina this weekend at Tigers Softball Complex.

Game times are set for 5 p.m., 2 p.m. and noon, respectively with Tyler Springs on call for each game on ESPN+.

SCOUTING THE TIGERS

Memphis (7-20, 0-6 American) enters the weekend after falling by run-rule to No. 6/4 Oklahoma on Wednesday in front of the program's largest-ever crowd of 551 in attendance.

For almost the entirety of the season, Ariel Davis has stood atop the statistical ladder for Memphis, currently leading the team in batting average (.363), OPS (1.132), hits (29), runs (19), home runs (five), RBI (14) and is the only Tiger to have started all 27 games. Jasmine Mack (.311) recently hit a triple against the Sooners on Wednesday and Faith Brown (.305) sits tied for second on the team in home runs (three) and RBI (14).

Jericho Tate and Avery Stutts have seen continued utilization in the circle, having started 17 games between them and making a combined total of 32 appearances. Tate's 5.67 ERA leads Memphis while Stutts' 49 innings pitched and 20 strikeouts are top marks on the staff. The pair were two of four Memphis pitchers to appear in the midweek loss to Oklahoma.

SCOUTING THE PIRATES

East Carolina (20-10, 4-2 American) locked up a 10-1 win over Elon in its midweek before making the trip to the Bluff City for the series. The Pirates have also taken each of their first two conference series against Wichita State and preseason conference favorite, Florida Atlantic.

The Pirates are led by a stingy pitching staff that has worked efficiently through the use of the primary arms. Sydney Rainford (2.94 ERA) and Julia Apostolakos (3.53 ERA) have earned back-to-back American Pitcher of the Week honors while carrying a total of 11 complete games and 141.2 innings combined between them. Apostolakos, a South Florida transfer, has emerged in her redshirt sophomore season, accounting for half of East Carolina's wins (10) and striking out a team-best 51 batters.

At the plate, five Pirates sit above .300 on the year, led by Kanisha Anderson's .374 average with 37 hits, including five doubles and three triples. Anna Sawyer has one of the top marks in the conference in walks with 19 while sophomore Jenna Krol has been the leading run producers with 22 RBI this season.

SERIES HISTORY VS. EAST CAROLINA

The Tigers trail 17-39 in the all-time series with the Pirates dating back to the program's first season in 2006.

Last season, Memphis and East Carolina faced off four times, with the Pirates earning a sweep in Greenville during the regular season before ending Memphis' season in the second round of the 2025 American Conference Championships in Tampa, Florida.

SINGLE GAME TICKETS ON SALE NOW

Single-game tickets are on sale for the 2026 season. Ticket prices will vary based on seat location (standing room only or reserved bleachers), denoted by a color-coded wristband.

Tickets will be free for all current University of Memphis students. Up to two fans ages 17 and under will be allowed free admission per paid adult that enters with them. Please note that tickets for children ages 17 and under will be for the standing room only section. Reserved seating tickets must be purchased if adults would like them to have a seat in the bleachers.

As a reminder, fans are not permitted to bring umbrellas into the venue and Tigers Softball Complex has a clear bag policy.

Tickets can be purchased using THIS LINK.

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.