Softball Signs Two Players To 2018-19 Squad

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The University of Memphis softball program and head coach Natalie Poole have announced the addition of two junior college pitchers, Kailey Hilderbrand and Karli Perque, to the 2018-19 roster. The two additions for the Tigers bring the total number of new players up to nine for next season.

"We are excited about Karli and Kailey becoming a part of our softball program," said Poole. "Both of these athletes are going to contribute right away to our pitching staff. They both are students of the game, and that makes a big difference when coaching players in that position. They have a good sense of who they are as pitchers and what they have to offer the game."

Kailey Hilderbrand
5-3 | Pitcher
Hernando, Miss. | Mississippi Gulf Coast CC

A native of Hernando, Miss., Hilderbrand comes to Memphis from Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College and Hernando High School. At Hernando, Hilderbrand was a two-sport athlete, also competing for the volleyball team for two years.

In softball, Hilderbrand led her squad to the District Championship in 2013, 2014, and 2017. She was a Second-Team All-State selection as a junior and senior and a four-time All-District and All-County selection in 2013, 2014, 2016, and 2017. Hilderbrand also earned the title of Best Offensive Player in 2016 and the Best Defensive Player in 2014.

As a senior at Hernando, she went 11-5 with a 1.67 ERA and 129 strikeouts. She also hit just shy of .400 with 10 doubles, a triple, four home runs, and 36 RBIs. For her career, she was a .342 hitter while hurling 500 strikeouts in 482.1 innings pitched. She was selected to play in the Mississippi Association of Coaches Class 4A/5A/6A Fastpitch All-Star game in high school.

Coach Poole on Hilderbrand:
Kailey is the cousin of a former Memphis Softball player (Morgan Mosby) and has been around our program for a long time. She comes to us with not only great high school success, but experience from her freshman year at her junior college. Kailey has come to many camps and worked with our coaches in that environment, responded well to our coaching instruction, and feels like she can thrive in this culture. We are excited to work with her on a daily basis.

Karli Perque
5-11 | Pitcher
Westwego, La. | Jones County Junior College

Perque, a 5-11 pitcher originally from Westwego, La., joins the Memphis squad from Jones County Junior College. While at Jones County, Perque helped lead her team to a 2018 National Championship as well as back-to-back State and Regional Championships in 2017 and 2018.

Her 2018 National Championship squad finished the year with a 54-3 overall record while she posted a 24-2 record in the circle. Perque also finished her sophomore year with a 1.02 ERA and 173 strikeouts.

For her career at Jones County, Perque recorded a 48-2 overall record and a 1.15 ERA with 300 strikeouts. She was named a NJCAA and NFCA First-Team All-American as well as the 2017 MACJC and NJCAA Pitcher of the Year.

Perque came to Jones County from Cabrini High School where she was a four-time All-State, All-Metro, and All-Region selection. She finished with 1,025 strikeouts at Cabrini and a 1.03 ERA.

Coach Poole on Perque:
Karli is coming in after experiencing great success at Jones County. She knows a few of our current athletes, having played with them or against them before. She has potential to come in and make an impact right after competing in the post season for her current school. Luckily, we don't have to wait long to get her on campus to get started working with her.

University of Memphis Athletics

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