University of Memphis Athletics
Photo by: Brandon Dill
Spring practice is underway for Memphis softball
Jan 16, 2020 | Softball
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Spring practice is underway for the University of Memphis softball team as the Tigers begin preparations for the 2020 campaign. Memphis travels to three non-conference tournaments this season before returning to the Bluff City for three home tournaments during the month of March.
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"The players came back in great shape," said head coach Natalie Poole. "I think their head is in the right place. Spirits look good, energy level looks good at practice. I'm really happy about that."
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The Tigers competed during the fall season in preparations for the spring slate. After taking time off around the holidays, Memphis returned to the field this week with just over three weeks to train for the season opening tournament in Hawai'i on Feb. 6-8.
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"I'm really pleased about our growth. There is a true desire to want to win and to train like champions," added Poole.
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Memphis welcomes eight players to the 2020 roster while returning four seniors, five juniors and eight sophomores. The Tigers return four of the top five hitters from a year ago, including juniors Baylee Smith and Delaney Smith.
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Baylee Smith led Memphis with a .338 batting average in 2019 with a team-high 53 hits and seven home runs. Smith was named Second Team All-AAC last season along with sophomore Alyssa Dean. Dean also earned a spot on the All-Rookie Team after hitting .252 with 31 hits and a .970 fielding percentage at second base.
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In the circle, Memphis returns Kailey Hilderbrand, Mariah Nichols and Karli Perque. The trio combined for over 250 innings including Nichols' team-leading 135.0 innings in the circle. Memphis combined for seven shutouts and 234 strikeouts in 2019.
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Poole enters her ninth season at the helm of the Memphis program in 2020. Last season, Poole won her 500th career game in a 5-4 thriller against DePaul at the Tigers Softball Complex.
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Click here for the complete 2020 schedule and roster. For more information on the Memphis softball team, follow the Tigers on social media at @MemphisSoftball.
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"The players came back in great shape," said head coach Natalie Poole. "I think their head is in the right place. Spirits look good, energy level looks good at practice. I'm really happy about that."
Â
The Tigers competed during the fall season in preparations for the spring slate. After taking time off around the holidays, Memphis returned to the field this week with just over three weeks to train for the season opening tournament in Hawai'i on Feb. 6-8.
Â
"I'm really pleased about our growth. There is a true desire to want to win and to train like champions," added Poole.
Â
Memphis welcomes eight players to the 2020 roster while returning four seniors, five juniors and eight sophomores. The Tigers return four of the top five hitters from a year ago, including juniors Baylee Smith and Delaney Smith.
Â
Baylee Smith led Memphis with a .338 batting average in 2019 with a team-high 53 hits and seven home runs. Smith was named Second Team All-AAC last season along with sophomore Alyssa Dean. Dean also earned a spot on the All-Rookie Team after hitting .252 with 31 hits and a .970 fielding percentage at second base.
Â
In the circle, Memphis returns Kailey Hilderbrand, Mariah Nichols and Karli Perque. The trio combined for over 250 innings including Nichols' team-leading 135.0 innings in the circle. Memphis combined for seven shutouts and 234 strikeouts in 2019.
Â
Poole enters her ninth season at the helm of the Memphis program in 2020. Last season, Poole won her 500th career game in a 5-4 thriller against DePaul at the Tigers Softball Complex.
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Click here for the complete 2020 schedule and roster. For more information on the Memphis softball team, follow the Tigers on social media at @MemphisSoftball.
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Players Mentioned
C/UT
/ Softball
RHP
/ Softball
RHP
/ Softball
RHP
/ Softball
UT
/ Softball
OF
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