Tigers Drop Close Contest to Tulsa After Hour-Long Weather Delay

Friday, March 27

Memphis, Tenn.

5 p.m.

University of Memphis

10-23, 1-9

Tulsa

11-20, 3-7

Tulsa

Memphis

Tigers Drop Close Contest to Tulsa After Hour-Long Weather Delay

Mar 27, 2026 | Softball

Box Score

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The University of Memphis (10-23, 1-9 American) softball team fell in the final inning to Tulsa (11-20, 3-7 American), 4-3, after an hour-long weather delay Friday night.

The Tigers took an early lead that was quickly countered by the Golden Hurricane and a potential sixth-inning rally for Memphis was stymied by a weather delay due to light rain.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Memphis set the tone of the contest early in both halves of the first inning.
- In the top half, Avery Stutts worked a seven-pitch inning, due in part to a 4-3 lineout double play.
- Two pitches into Memphis' opening at-bat, Deana Cunningham sent one far over the stands in left center for her first career home run.
- Three batters later, Faith Brown sent one into the right-center field stands to put Memphis ahead by two runs.
Tulsa answered in the second inning with a two-run home run by Maci Cole.
Memphis retook the lead on a bases-loaded walk drawn by Ariel Davis.
- The Tigers loaded the bases with Neely Taylor reaching on an error, Kennedy Semien logging a single and Deana Cunningham working a full-count walk.
Memphis' defense came up big in the third as Deana Cunningham started a 6-3 double play to end the inning on six pitches.
The Tigers stranded Paris Brienesse at third after she singled and was sacrificed twice over to third.
Tulsa quelled a Memphis scoring opportunity with a popout double play where Memphis' pinch runner was unable to get back to first base.
In the top of the sixth, Annika Dill gave Tulsa its first lead of the game on an RBI single.
In the bottom half of the inning, the game went into a weather delay after Kayla Clement drew a four-pitch walk to start the inning.
- After the 55-minute delay, Memphis stranded runners on first and second with three swinging strikeouts.
A sacrifice fly off the bat of Tulsa's Claira Skaggs gave Tulsa a one-run lead in the seventh.
Memphis went down in order to end the game.
- Five of Memphis' final six outs were swinging strikeouts.

NOTABLES

The Tigers are now 7-5 in games where they led after five innings and 8-4 in games where Memphis had more hits than its opponent.
Memphis has now tied its home run total from the previous season with its 24^th and 25^th home runs tonight.
- Through 33 games played, the Tigers have tied the seventh-best home run total in program history.
Memphis' now 26 sacrifice hits would be tied for the eighth-most in the NCAA.
Deana Cunningham was 1-for-3 in the loss with her first collegiate home run, also reaching on a walk.
Faith Brown finished 1-for-4 at the plate with her fourth home run of the season.
- Brown's 24 hits and 17 RBI both rank second on the team.
Ariel Davis was the lone Tiger with a multi-hit performance, going 2-for-3 with one RBI.
- Davis' average moves to .372 with her 35^th hit and 19^th RBI of the season.
- She is also now tied with Kennedy Semien for the team lead in walks after drawing her 12^th of the year.
Neely Taylor logged one hit and one sacrifice bunt, also scoring on Davis' bases-loaded walk.
Kennedy Semien went 1-for-2 with a sacrifice bunt in the contest.
- The sacrifice was Semien's fifth of the season, second-most on Memphis this season.
Paris Brienesse had one hit in the contest, moving to .348 on the season.
Jasmine Mack went 1-for-4 in the loss, sitting with an average of .333.
Avery Stutts tossed six innings, striking out one and allowing three runs in a no-decision.

UP NEXT

Memphis continues its weekend series against Tulsa tomorrow at 2 p.m. on Alumni Day.

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.