University of Memphis Athletics
@MemphisSoftball Tournament Preview: LSU Tiger Classic
Feb 05, 2015 | Softball
LSU Tiger Class Game Notes 
MEMPHIS, Tenn. - The University of Memphis softball team opens the 2015 season Friday in Baton Rouge, La. at the Tiger Classic hosted by #19 LSU.
The Tigers open the season against the hosting team LSU on Friday, Feb. 6 at 4 p.m. On Saturday, Memphis will play two games, squaring off against Tennessee State at 10 a.m. followed by North Carolina State at 12:30 p.m. The Tigers face Tennessee State again on Sunday morning at 9:30 a.m.
Memphis enters the tournament led by head coach Natalie Poole who is in her fourth season as a Tiger. The Tigers return with only five upperclassman from last season's 23-33 squad. The Tigers have two returning pitchers, two returning catchers, two returning infielders and an outfield primarily made up of returners. Memphis will have to rely on the six incoming freshman to fill the voids that were lost after the completion of the 2014 season.
The Tigers pitching staff will consist of two returners, Senior Jordan Richwood, who went 1-2 in the 2014 season with a 4.87 ERA. Sophomore Calli Irvin who ended her freshman debut with a 1-1 record last year despite spending most of the season at first base will also be returning to the mound. Memphis also welcomes two freshmen pitchers; Katie Brignac and Molly Smith. The Tigers said goodbye to their starting pitcher Ellen Roberts in 2014 who was responsible for 33 starts, 12 wins and 147 strikeouts. Roberts currently holds 25 pitching records for the Tigers.
The last time Memphis played in the Tiger Classic to open the season was in 2007 where they went 4-2, just barely losing to LSU in the ninth inning. The Team holds a record of 5-4 in season opening games. The Tigers have a record of 17-20 at season opener tournaments. This will be the Tigers third season opener in Louisiana.
Memphis will play in its third tournament at LSU. The Tigers last came to Baton Rouge in 2013 for the LSU Purple and Gold Challenge. The UofM holds a 5-5 record in tournaments at LSU.
All four games can be followed through live stats which can be accessed at GoTigersGo.com.
Memphis versus LSU
The Tigers are 0-3 all-time against LSU and last saw them in 2013 at the LSU Purple and Gold Challenge where they fell 5-4 to the No. 10 team in the country. The Tigers were ahead 4-3 going into the bottom of the seventh and needed only one out to take the win. But Memphis then gave up a two-out base hit bringing in the tying run, followed by a wild pitch to score the winning run. Memphis also faced LSU twice in 2007 at the Easton Tigers Classic but fell both times to the No. 7 team. The second game of the tournament, the Tigers fell 3-1 to LSU and returned two days later to face LSU again in the tournament championship. The Tigers held LSU to a 2-2 tie until the ninth inning when LSU managed a five run rally, stealing the win. LSU finished 38-24 in 2014 and 13-11 in the SEC. The Tigers ended the season at the Tucson NCAA Regional against No. 10 Arizona.
Memphis versus Tennessee State
Memphis is 5-3 all-time against Tennessee State and last faced them in 2011 at the Tiger Softball Complex. The UofM swept the double header, winning 7-2 and 8-0. In 2006, the Tigers first year as a program, they travelled to Nashville, Tenn. to face Tennessee state and shut them out in two games. Last season Tennessee State had an overall record of 18-38 and 6-20 in the Ohio Valley Conference.
Memphis versus North Carolina State
The Tigers have faced North Carolina State one time which ended in a 2-10 loss. The game took place in 2006 in Chapel Hill, N.C. at the Tar Heel Invitational. The Wolfpack went 36-18 in 2014 and finished 16-8 in the ACC. North Carolina State ended the year at the Athens NCAA Regional to Georgia. NC State is currently receiving 14 votes in the NFCA national poll.
Memphis Softball begins 10th Season
The Memphis Tigers enter their tenth season with an all-time record of 239-257 since the program began in 2006. The Tigers made its first and only NCAA Tournament appearance in 2011. Memphis went 28-26 and missed the C-USA Tournament by half a game in their first season of Tigers Softball in 2006.
Four of the Tigers will be feeling right at home as they return to their home state of Louisiana: Lindsay Crowdus (Houma), Katie Brignac (River Ridge), Brooke Lee (River Ridge) and Kyler Trosclair (Houma).
Up Next
· Memphis will travel to Miami, Fla., to compete in the FIU Invitational February 13-14.
· The Tigers host the Blues City Classic at home in Memphis, Tenn., February 20-22.
· Memphis then travels to Lake Charles, La., to play in the McNeese State Tournament February 27-March 1.
· Memphis travels to Boca Raton, Fla., March 6-7 to play in the FAU Parents Weekend Tournament.
· The Tigers finish up tournament play for the season in Charleston, S.C., at the College of Charleston Tournament, March 13-15.
