Memphis Bats Erupt in Pair of Wins over Jackson State

Wednesday, March 25

Jackson, Miss.

2 p.m.

University of Memphis

9-22

Jackson State

14-13

Memphis

Jackson St.

Photo by: Steven Spehar

Memphis Bats Erupt in Pair of Wins over Jackson State

Mar 25, 2026 | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

JACKSON, Miss. – The University of Memphis (10-22, 1-8 American) softball team picked up a much-needed pair of wins against Jackson State (14-14, 6-2 SWAC) by scores of 8-5 and 17-6, Wednesday afternoon in Jackson.

Memphis was in a dog fight in game one, taking the lead in the seventh inning to hold on before erupting to a 15-run lead and eventually winning by 11 in the second half of the doubleheader.

GAME ONE: Memphis 8, Jackson State 5

HOW IT HAPPENED

Memphis struck first in game one on an RBI single by Paris Brienesse.
Taylor Caton opened up her afternoon start with the scoreless innings.
Jackson State pushed itself into the lead with a pair of RBI singles and an RBI groundout to take a 4-1 lead after four innings.
Memphis immediately answered with four of its own.
- Jasmine Mack singled up the middle and after an errant throw attempting to throw out the second runner, Taylor Caton saw no one covering home plate and scored for the third run of the play.
- Kylie Waldrep beat out an infield single for the fourth run of the inning.
Jackson State knotted it up with an RBI single by Gabrielle Willis in the fifth.
Chaos ensued in the seventh inning when Faith Brown doubled over the left fielder's head and brought three runs in after another errant throw for the little-league inside-the-park home run.
Avery Stutts shut the door to earn her fourth win in three innings of relief after inducing three ground balls to end the game.

GAME TWO: Memphis 17, Jackson State 6 (5 inn.)

HOW IT HAPPENED

The Tigers came out of the gates swinging in the first with three runs.
- After a leadoff triple by Deana Cunningham, Ariel Davis launched a no-doubter over the left-field wall to give Memphis an early lead.
- After a pair of Jackson State errors, Kennedy Semien logged an RBI single to push the Tigers out to a three-run lead.
The pressure continued in the second with three more runs by Memphis.
- Deana Cunningham and Paris Brienesse executed a double steal, with Brienesse coming home on an overthrow by Jackson State's catcher.
- Ariel Davis hit a sacrifice fly to bring Cunningham home during the following at-bat.
- After Jasmine Mack tripled, Brylle Butts followed her up with an RBI double.
Jackson State logged its first runs in the second on an RBI single by Ariah Hill and an RBI double by Jhordan Dyer.
After a quiet third inning for both sides, Memphis erupted for six runs in the fourth.
- A Paris Brienesse infield single and stolen base was followed by an RBI single off the bat of Deana Cunningham.
- After Ariel Davis walked, Jasmine Mack turned on a pitch for a three-run shot to extend Memphis' lead.
- Neely Taylor added on with an RBI double.
- Kennedy Semien brought in the sixth run of the inning on an RBI groundout.
Memphis stretched its lead to 15 runs after adding five in the top of the fifth inning.
- Kayla Clement started things with a pinch-hit RBI double.
- The following at-bat saw freshman Jaila Mitchell log her first career hit and RBI with a single up the middle.
- Consecutive errors put Memphis in a strong position after Jasmine Mack and Brylee Butts reached on errors, with Mack also scoring on an error.
- Taylore Caton brought in two runs on an RBI single.
Jackson State attempted to bring itself under the run-rule threshold but only brought in four runs in the final inning on an error, double steal and a two-RBI single.
- The two-RBI single was the final play of the game as a baserunner was thrown out after overrunning the base.

NOTABLES

Memphis earned its first road wins of the season, entering the game winless in its first eight true road contests.
Memphis' 17 runs and 17 hits in the second game mark new season highs, surpassing a total of 16 runs and 15 hits against Bradley on Feb. 22.
Nine different Tigers have hit a triple on the season, with Ariel Davis and Jasmine Mack being the only two with multiple.
Avery Stutts picked up her team-leading fourth win in three innings of relief, striking out two batters.
- Stutts also logged her first career plate appearance, reaching on a hit-by-pitch and later scoring.
Jericho Tate notched her third win of the year with 4.1 innings pitched in the second leg of the doubleheader, recording three strikeouts.
Jasmine Mack was 4-for-8 on the day with five RBI and five runs scored.
- Mack's day included her third home run and second triple of the season.
- Mack now sits tied for first with Ariel Davis with a team-best two triples.
Kayla Clement picked up a hit in each game, including an RBI double, and scored twice.
Jaila Mitchell recorded her first career hit and RBI in the second game.
Paris Brienesse was Memphis' hits leader on the day with five, also recording three runs scored and one RBI.
- Brienesse also picked up her 43^rd and 44^th career stolen bases in the wins.
Deana Cunningham went 4-for-7 with three runs scored, one RBI, one stolen base and her first career triple.
Ariel Davis had three hits in the doubleheader, including a two-run home run to kick off the second game. She finished with three RBI and three runs scored.
- Davis still sits atop Memphis' statistical leaderboards in batting average, hits, runs, doubles, triples, home runs and RBI.
Brylee Butts logged her third career hit with an RBI double.
- Butts' three career hits have been a pair of doubles and a triple.
Faith Brown picked up two hits and finished the first game with three RBI.
- Brown sits in second in both hits (23) and RBI (16) on the team.
Neely Taylor was 2-for-3 at the plate with a double and an RBI.
Kennedy Semien had one hit in the doubleheader, bringing a pair of runs home.
Taylor Caton tossed four innings, including three scoreless in the first game, while also logging two hits, a double, an RBI and four runs scored.
Kylie Waldrep was 1-for-4 with an RBI during the doubleheader.

UP NEXT

Memphis returns home for a weekend series against Tulsa to continue American Conference play, with start times of 5 p.m., 2 p.m. and noon. All three games will feature Tyler Springs on the call for the ESPN+ broadcast.

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.

Memphis Travels to Jackson State for Midweek Matchup

Tuesday, March 24

Memphis Falls to East Carolina in Series Finale

Sunday, March 22

Mack Homers in 6-3 Loss to East Carolina

Saturday, March 21

Stutts’ Gem in the Circle Powers Memphis to First American Win over East Carolina, 2-1

Friday, March 20

Next Event

Tulsa

Mar 27 (Fri)

5 p.m.

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Team Stats

Pitching:

W: Tate, Jericho (3-7)

L: Morris, Brooklyn (4-6)

Memphis

Batting:

2B: Clement, Kayla 1 ; Butts, Brylee 1 ; Caton, Taylor 1 ; Taylor, Neely 1

3B: Cunningham, Deana 1 ; Mack, Jasmine 1

HR: Davis, Ariel 1 ; Mack, Jasmine 1

RBI: Cunningham, Deana 1 ; Clement, Kayla 1 ; Davis, Ariel 3 ; Mitchell, Jaila 1 ; Mack, Jasmine 3 ; Butts, Brylee 1 ; Caton, Taylor 1 ; Taylor, Neely 1 ; Semien, Kennedy 2

SF: Davis, Ariel 1

Base Running:

RUNS: Cunningham, Deana 3 ; Clement, Kayla 1 ; Davis, Ariel 2 ; Mitchell, Jaila 1 ; Mack, Jasmine 3 ; Butts, Brylee 1 ; Caton, Taylor 2 ; Taylor, Neely 1 ; Brienesse, Paris 3