Tigers Off to Best Start in Program History with Fourth-Straight Win

Saturday, February 8

Memphis, Tenn.

3 PM

University of Memphis

3-0

Hampton

2-2

Hampton

Memphis

Tigers Off to Best Start in Program History with Fourth-Straight Win

Feb 08, 2025 | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Memphis softball continues to move in the right direction, defeating Hampton and Lindenwood on Saturday to set the program record for most consecutive wins to start a season.

GAME ONE: Memphis 3, Hampton 2

HOW IT HAPPENED

The Tigers opened the scoring in the bottom of the first inning, as an Arianna Cox-Cole single scored Kayla Clement and McKaylee Polk to give Memphis an early two run lead.
The Pirates slowly fought back, plating one run in the third inning and one in the fifth to tie the game going into the sixth frame.
In the top of the seventh inning, the Pirates had runners in scoring position, but Cox-Cole made a diving catch to keep the score knotted at two.
After Memphis loaded the bases, Taniyah Brown delivered on a single up the middle to earn the walk-off victory for the Tigers.
Brown's impact was felt both at the plate and in the circle.
- Brown pitched a full seven innings, striking out six batters and continuing to show a strong ability to induce ground ball outs.
- As a hitter, she finished with two hits and the game-winning RBI.

NOTABLES

This victory tied the program record for most wins to begin a season, previously set during the 2018 season.
Three Tigers recorded multi-hit games, led by Neely Taylor, who went 3-for-3 at the dish with a double.
McKaylee Polk's third-inning triple was the second for a Tiger this season, matching the team total in 2024.

GAME TWO: Memphis 5, Lindenwood 2

HOW IT HAPPENED

Memphis was the aggressor in its second game of the day, with Taniyah Brown and Kennedy Semien each recording an RBI single to give the Tigers a 2-0 lead after one inning.
The Tigers proceeded to plate two more runs in the fourth inning from a Faith Brown sacrifice fly and a single by McKaylee Polk.
Semien recorded an RBI single in the fifth inning to put Memphis up by five runs.
After being held scoreless through six innings, Lindenwood attempted to mount a comeback.
- A two-run home run by Tori Hatton appeared to swing momentum in the Lions' favor.
- Dugar induced a lineout by Izzy Wilcox, followed by making Joey Meyer ground into a fielder's choice, where Kayla Clement recorded the final out.

NOTABLES

With this win, Memphis has set a new program record for consecutive wins to start a season.
Through four games, Memphis has yet to allow an opponent to score more than two runs, holding a 37-7 run differential in the first two days of the 2025 season.
Three qualifying Tigers (Kennedy Semien, Neely Taylor, Taniyah Brown) have a batting average above .500.
Five Tigers (Kennedy Semien, Neely Taylor, Taniyah Brown, Zoe Adebayo, Shelby Durbin) carry an OPS of at least 1.000.

UP NEXT
Memphis concludes the 901 Classic with a 10 a.m. matchup against Hampton. The game will be broadcast on ESPN+, with Greg Gaston on the call.

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.