Practice Is Underway For Memphis Softball

Jan 16, 2019 | Softball

The Tigers begin the 2019 season on Feb. 8 at the FIU Invitational

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The University of Memphis softball team returned to action this week in preparation for the upcoming 2019 spring season. The Tigers begin their eighth season under the direction of head coach Natalie Poole, who enters this season just 10 wins shy of eclipsing 500 victories in her head coaching career.

Memphis kicks off the new season at the FIU Tournament in Miami, Florida on Feb. 8 with five total games, including two against FIU and Michigan State and one against Bryant.

The home opener for the Tigers is set for Feb. 27 with a non-conference bout against SEC foe Mississippi State. Memphis has a home-and-home against the Bulldogs this season.

Welcome to Memphis
The Tigers welcome 12 new players to the roster, including nine in the freshman class. Ashton Stowe, a transfer from Trevecca Nazarene, will have the opportunity to see the Memphis diamond after having to sit the 2018 season. Karli Perque and Kailey Hilderbrand also transferred to Memphis and will add valuable experience to the circle this season.

The 2019 freshman class is composed of Ryleigh Aungst, Hannah Bassham, Gracie Morton, Anna Grace Magee, Kelsey Frizzell, Madalyn Alexander, Samantha Ibison, Alyssa Dean and Chesney Dearth. The Tigers see added depth in all positions as four freshmen are infielders, two are outfields, two are catchers and one is a pitcher.

Top Returners
Baylee Smith and Delaney Smith return as the top offensive threats after averaging .373 and .363, respectively, as freshmen in 2018. Delaney was second on the 2018 team with 61 hits and led the team with 29 stolen bases.

Ashley Threatt and Regan Hadley return for their senior seasons after finishing fourth and fifth on the team with .299 and .290 batting averages. Threatt finished with a team-high 11 doubles and a .971 fielding percentage at first base while Hadley finished with a career-high 45 hits in 57 games played. Hadley also finished the season with a .991 fielding percentage as the team's everyday catcher.

The senior class is composed of Hadley, Threatt, Bayleigh Wisher, Jessie Lamb and Alexis Castleman. The five combine for 374 total games played and 295 career starts.

In the circle, the Tigers return Mariah Nichols and Wisher. Nichols finished her freshman campaign with a 2.97 ERA in 136.2 total innings pitched. Her 11 wins were tied for the ninth-most in a single season in program history.

Key Losses
The 2018 senior class left some big shoes to fill, with some key players from the last four years graduating from the team. Katie Brignac, Tori Harris, Brooke Lee, Addison Maxwell, Christian Novak, Molly Smith and Kyler Trosclair Klatt left an indelible mark on the Memphis softball program that will be felt for years to come.

Over their four years, these players won 111 games, which are tied for the most by a four-year class in program history. To cap off its historic Memphis career, the senior class won a program-record 37 games in 2018, including a record 22 victories at home.

Kyler Trosclair Klatt departs from Memphis having etched her name into the record books. The Houma, Louisiana native set records for career hits (249), runs scored (138) and stolen bases (71). A mainstay in the Tiger lineup, Trosclair Klatt started all 219 games in which she appeared over her four years at Memphis.

Smith's impact on the program is undeniable, as the pitcher ended her career as one of the best Memphis has ever seen. Smith set the record for career strikeouts (498), wins (50) and shutouts (19). After setting career-bests in almost all major categories, Smith was named Second-Team All-American Athletic Conference in 2018.

Final Tidbits
For the complete 2019 spring schedule, go online to www.gotigersgo.com. Additional information on the Memphis softball team can be found on social media at @MemphisSoftball. Admission is free for all home games at the Tigers Softball Complex.