The University of Memphis Tigers are off to their best start in softball program history. The Tigers opened conference play with a win Friday that put them at 22-7, surpassing the best start record from 2011 at 21-7.
A 2-1 series win last weekend over the Wichita State Shockers gave Memphis a 23-8 record, which is still the best start for the program. The Tigers will look to continue to improve their record as they return home to play a double-header against Alcorn State on Tuesday.
Areas of improvement
Memphis head coach Natalie Poole said her team faced three strong teams in five games last week.
Memphis suffered their worst loss of the season at Wichita State where they were run ruled, losing 11-1 in game two Saturday.
Poole said her team came out, and “they had to fight for that win” to “own the series” Sunday.
After getting just one run and two hits in the loss Saturday, Poole said she would like to see her offense have production from the plate.
A look at the opponent
The Tigers went 2-0 in a double-header against Alcorn State in late April last season. Alcorn State is 5-19, but four of their wins have come in their last five games. Each of the four wins were sweeping double-headers.
Alcorn State has two players who bat over .300, at .333 and .424. The team bats at .269 and has four home runs this season.
Their pitchers have pitched a combined 99 strikeouts and allowed 10 home runs this season. Each of their five pitchers has pitched at least 19 innings.
Players to watch
Memphis designated player Kendall Lee
Memphis earned another historic milestone with their third American Athletic Conference player of the week honored this season. This is the first season since joining the AAC the Tigers have more than one player to be honored as player of the week.
Lee had home runs in back-to-back wins last week, including a grand slam against SEC opponent Ole Miss. Lee earned her spot in the starting lineup against Wichita State and responded with a double in her first at bat. She had an RBI single in the final game that lifted the Tigers over the Shockers
“We wanted to see if she could drive something for us, and she did,” Poole said. “She looked steady at the plate. She did a good job of adjusting when she was pitched a little bit differently … I don’t expect her to go to the plate everyday and hit every at bat, that’s just impossible, but she is showing signs that she is capable of getting some type of hit for us each game, and that’s what we need.”
Memphis short stop Kyler Trosclair Klatt
Trosclair Klatt put up big numbers again this weekend. She had her eighth triple of the season — one shy of tying Lindsay Crowdus’ single-season triple record set last season.
Trosclair Klatt has a .449 batting average. In Sunday’s win she saw 4 RBIs and a stolen base.
“I think even when she is not feeling herself and the way she wants to feel, then she is still able to find success,” Poole said. “I think it says a lot about her as an athlete. She had a great weekend, an impactful weekend for our team, and I think that she will continue that because of athleticism.”
Alcorn State infielder Taylor Hughes
Hughes leads Alcorn State with a .424 batting average. She has 28 hits, two of which were doubles, and 15 were RBIs.
On defense, Hughes is effective with a .993 fielding percentage, 134 put outs, four assists and one error.
Alcorn State pitcher Paige Taylor
The senior leads the Lady Braves with a 5.06 ERA in 36 innings. She has pitched 19 strikeouts. Although she has allowed 24 walks, she has not allowed any home runs.
Kyler Trosclair-Klatt prepares to steal a base against Mississippi State. She finished second on the team with a .394 batting average, the second-highest batting average in program history in the 2017 season.
Memphis Head Coach Natalie Poole gives instructions to her team in a game. Poole is having her best season as the Tigers' head coach leading the Tigers to a historic 23-8 start.
