Softball hosts Blues City Classic this weekend

Friday, February 28

Memphis, Tenn.

2 PM

University of Memphis

Northern Illinois

Photo by: Maya Todd

Feb 27, 2020 | Softball

Tournament Central

Five teams come to the Bluff City for 14 total games

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – With 15 games under its belt, the Memphis softball team finally comes home this weekend for the home-opening tournament at the Tigers Softball Complex. Memphis welcomes five teams to the Bluff City to compete in the Blues City Classic.

A total of 14 games will be played at the Tigers Softball Complex, starting at 9 a.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Evansville, North Alabama, Northern Illinois, Northwestern State and Western Illinois will be participating in the first of Memphis' three home tournaments this year.

Tournament Central
Location: Tigers Softball Complex
Twitter Updates: @MemphisSoftball

This weekend marks the first five of 15 straight games at home for the Tigers. Memphis' next road date is the neutral site game against Tennessee on March 17.

Memphis opens its home slate with a 7-8 overall record after finishing 2-3 at the Mardi Gras Classic hosted by South Alabama. Gracie Morton and Sam Ibison were named to the All-Tournament Team after posting a pair of .400 batting averages to pace the Tigers at the plate. Morton was also recognized by the American Athletic Conference with her first career Weekly Honor Roll nod.

Ibison has had a solid start to her sophomore campaign, hitting a team-high .400 with 22 hits. She has recorded a pair of doubles and is one of two players to have eclipsed at least 10 runs scored this season.

Morton is the team's leader with 13 RBI and six doubles. She has eight extra base hits this season and is perfect on defense in 21 attempts in right field.

In the circle, Chyanne Ellett and Mariah Nichols carry ERAs under 3.0. The duo combines for 64 strikeouts in 75.1 innings pitched. Nichols has three saves already to her name this season, one shy of matching her own single-season record of four.

A live stream will be available for the Memphis games on Friday and Sunday. Live stats will be available all weekend at www.gotigersgo.com. Admission to the Tigers Softball Complex is free. For more information on the Memphis softball team, follow the Tigers on social media at @MemphisSoftball.