Tigers Fall in First Two Contests of Northwestern State Classic

Saturday, February 15

Natchitoches, La.

9 AM

University of Memphis

5-1

Jacksonville State

4-2

Memphis

Jacksonville State

Photo by: Steven Spehar

Tigers Fall in First Two Contests of Northwestern State Classic

Feb 15, 2025 | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

NATCHITOCHES, La. – Memphis softball failed to secure a win during the first day of the Northwestern State Classic on Saturday. The Tigers fell to Jacksonville State by a score of 8-3, and were outlasted in 10 innings by Northwestern State.

GAME ONE: Memphis 3, Jacksonville State 8

HOW IT HAPPENED

Gamecock pitcher Jaliyah Holmes made her second start of the season and kept the Tigers scoreless through three innings.
Jacksonville State scored in three consecutive innings before Memphis recorded a run scored.
- In the first, Amber Reed hit an RBI double for the first run of the game.
- Jaci Underwood added to Jacksonville State's lead with a three-run home run in the second inning.
- Jacksonville State extended its lead to five runs after a solo home run off the bat of Kailey Martin, which would end Rylee Dugar's game in the circle.
Memphis got its first run when McKaylee Polk hit a home run to left center.
The following half inning, the Gamecocks would extend their lead back to five runs after Kailey Martin was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded.
Jacksonville State added two runs in the bottom of the six off a two-run double by Hannah Buffington.
- Buffington came in as a pinch hitter for just her second at-bat of the season.
Memphis attempted to mount a comeback as Kennedy Semien recorded a two-RBI double with two outs to cut Jacksonville State's lead to five, but Drue Thomas flied out to end the game.

NOTABLES

This performance matches Memphis' lowest run total at this point in the season (3-2 vs. Hampton, 2/8).
Neely Taylor and Kennedy Semien extend their hitting streaks to six games, which leads the team.
For the first time this season, Memphis gave up multiple home runs in one game.
The Tigers only recorded six hits, which matches their season low, previously achieved in a 5-2 victory against Lindenwood.

GAME TWO: Memphis 3, Northwestern State 4 (10 innings)

HOW IT HAPPENED

The Lady Demons took advantage of two walks and a hit-by-pitch to load the bases before Brynn Daniel singled to bring two runs in.
Memphis had lead-off base hits in both the first and second innings, but failed to bring the runner in before reaching three outs.
- Kennedy Semien singled to lead off the game, but only reached second base by the end of the inning.
- Arianna Cox-Cole reached on a single to begin the second inning, but was retired on a double play.
Northwestern State tallied another run in the third off the bat of Brynn Daniel again.
In the bottom of the fourth, McKaylee Polk executed a squeeze play, scoring Kayla Clement for Memphis' first run.
Two batters later, Marley Maness tied the game on a three-run home run, her first of the season.
Both sides went scoreless through extra innings. Rylee Dugar entered in relief and had a bounce-back performance, striking out seven over 6.1 innings pitched.
- Dugar got out of multiple high-pressure situations, recording three inning-ending strikeouts.
- Additionally, Dugar had multiple strong plays in the field to keep Demon hitters off the base paths.
Memphis attempted to mount a comeback as Kennedy Semien recorded a two-RBI double with two outs to cut Jacksonville State's lead to five, but Drue Thomas flied out to end the game.

NOTABLES

This was the first win of Northwestern State's season, having previously lost their first five games in the South Alabama Invitational.
Neely Taylor and Kennedy Semien continued their hitting streaks, with both reaching seven games.
Semien recorded her first three-hit performance of the season. Only McKaylee Polk and Neely Taylor have hit that mark in 2025, with Taylor recording three hits in a game twice.
Memphis was held scoreless in nine out of 10 innings, where Northwestern State's Brooklynn Stohler earned a 10-inning complete game victory.
All three RBIs for Northwestern State came off the bat of Brynn Daniel.
Despite taking the loss, Rylee Dugar did not allow an earned run over 6.1 innings in the circle.

UP NEXT
The Tigers wrap up the Northwestern State Classic with two games on Sunday. The Tigers rematch Jacksonville State at 9 a.m. before playing in the final game of the weekend against Northwestern State at 2 p.m. The game against Northwestern State will be broadcast on ESPN+.

HOW TO FOLLOW THE TIGERS
For complete information on Memphis Tigers Softball, visit www.GoTigersGo.com and follow the team's social media channels on Twitter, Instagram , and Facebook.