Softball Heads to Murray State for Midweek Game

Wednesday, March 27

Murray, Ky.

4 PM

University of Memphis

Murray State

Photo by: Jason Roberts

Mar 26, 2019 | Softball

Game Notes

The Tigers and Racers face off for the third time in 2019

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The Memphis softball team hits the road for a midweek game at Murray State. The 4 p.m. first pitch on Wednesday marks the third time this season that the teams will face off. The game will be streamed on ESPN+.

Game 32
Memphis (17-14) at Murray State (12-15)
First pitch: 4 p.m. CT
Location: Racer Field – Murray, Ky.
Live Stats | Watch (ESPN+)

Memphis heads to Murray after taking its conference opening series against ECU. After falling on Friday in extra innings, the Tigers took the next two games by a combined 17-1 score. Memphis piled up 27 hits and 21 runs scored over the weekend, capitalized with home runs from Sara Ann Davidson and Gracie Morton. The Tigers have now won their conference opening series four years in a row.

Facing Murray State again on Wednesday, the Racers and the Tigers have become familiar opponents this season. The teams squared off twice during the Tiger Classic, which happened a couple of weeks ago. Memphis and Murray State split the first two games of the season.

Baylee Smith continues to swing a hot bat for the Tigers, leading the team with a .390 batting average. The sophomore crossed home plate seven times over the last week, earning a spot on the American Athletic Conference's Weekly Honor Roll on Monday. Across the lineup, five Memphis players hit over .300, propping up a team batting average of .272.

In the circle, Mariah Nichols and Karli Perque tossed complete games against ECU, both picking up wins in the process. Memphis pitchers have combined for 156 strikeouts and allow a .235 batting average from opponents. Nichols leads the team with 67 strikeouts, nearly matching her total from last season.

Scouting the Competition
Murray State enters the week having picked up a pair of wins over Ohio Valley opponent Eastern Illinois. The Racers took care of business, putting together a 7-0 shutout on Saturday before earning a 7-4 win on Sunday.

Hannah James pitched a complete game shutout over Eastern Illinois, her second shutout of the season. She has also tossed seven complete games this year and leads the team with 67 strikeouts.

At the plate, Lillie Goetz leads the Racers with a batting average of .342, eight doubles and adds three home runs to her stat line. Madison Culver tops the roster with five homers, accounting for five of her 23 hits.

Including this season's pair of games, Memphis leads the all-time series against the Racers 7-5.

Final Details
First pitch against the Racers is slated for 4 p.m. at Racer Field. Wednesday's game will be streamed on ESPN+, a subscription-based service from ESPN. For more information on the softball team, follow the team on social media at @MemphisSoftball.