University of Memphis Athletics
Wednesday, February 18
Starkville, Miss.
4 p.m.
University of Memphis
3-6
4
at
8
.png&width=60&height=60&type=webp)
Mississippi State
11-0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
R
H
E
Memphis
0
1
0
3
0
0
0
4
4
4
Mississippi State
0
0
7
0
1
0
X
8
6
1
Three Home Runs Not Enough as Tigers Fall to No. 14 Mississippi State
Feb 18, 2026 | Softball
STARKVILLE, Miss. – The University of Memphis (3-6) softball team sent three shots over the wall but fell to No. 14/18 Mississippi State (11-0) by a score of 8-4 Wednesday night.
After taking an early lead on a solo home run by Faith Brown, a seven-run inning by the Bulldogs gave them a lead that held through the remainder of the game.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Memphis returns home for another weekend of action in the Blues City Invitational. Six teams will make their way to Memphis, with the Tigers playing Kentucky and North Carolina A&T on Saturday, along with Bradley and Indiana State on Sunday.
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.
After taking an early lead on a solo home run by Faith Brown, a seven-run inning by the Bulldogs gave them a lead that held through the remainder of the game.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Memphis went down via the strikeout in each of its first three at-bats, but a 4-6-3 double play got the Tigers out of the first inning unscathed.
- The first run of the game came off the bat of Faith Brown, who launched her first career home run over the wall in right-center.
- Memphis logged its second double play in as many innings with a 6-4-3 double play followed by a groundout to hold a one-run lead after two innings.
- Mississippi State took advantage of Memphis' walks and errors to pick up seven runs in the third, coming on a three-run home run by Kiarra Sells and grand slam by Morgan Bernardini.
- While at a six-run deficit, Memphis cut it in half with back-to-back home runs by Mya Clark and Kennedy Semien, with Clark's being a two-run shot.
- Semien's home run was the first of her 2026 campaign.
- Mississippi State's final run of the contest came on a pinch-hit RBI single by Taylor Troutman.
- It was the only run surrendered by Avery Stutts, who entered in the third inning and pitched 3.2 innings without allowing an earned run.
- It was the only run surrendered by Avery Stutts, who entered in the third inning and pitched 3.2 innings without allowing an earned run.
- The game was Memphis' first against an opponent within the top 15 of the NFCA/GoRout poll since a pair of games in 2024 against then No. 14 LSU.
- Memphis' four runs were the most allowed by Mississippi State in a game this season.
- The Bulldogs entered the game with a 1.20 team ERA.
- All four of Memphis' runs came on home runs by its four, five and six hitters.
- The three home runs were the most allowed by Mississippi State since the 2025 Lubbock Regional against Texas Tech, entering the game with only two allowed all season.
- Faith Brown's home run in the second inning was the first of her collegiate career and marked the fifth time in nine games that the Tigers have scored first.
- The back-to-back home runs off the bats of Mya Clark and Kennedy Semien were the second time this season that a pair of Tigers have gone back-to-back.
- Clark and Kylie Waldrep previously accomplished the feat against Toledo on Feb. 7.
- The home run was Semien's first of the 2026 season.
- Ariel Davis holds a .357 average on the season after going 1-for-3 with a double in the loss.
- The double gives Davis five extra-base hits on the season.
- Kylie Waldrep logged a run scored after drawing a walk in her first at-bat and scoring on Clark's home run.
- Paris Brienesse finished the game with a stolen base after reentering following a fielder's choice.
- Avery Stutts tossed 3.2 innings to finish the game for Memphis, only allowing one run which was not earned.
Memphis returns home for another weekend of action in the Blues City Invitational. Six teams will make their way to Memphis, with the Tigers playing Kentucky and North Carolina A&T on Saturday, along with Bradley and Indiana State on Sunday.
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.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Leila Ammon (3-0)
L: Tate, Jericho (1-1)
Batting:
2B: Davis, Ariel 1
HR: Clark, Mya 1 ; Semien, Kennedy 1 ; Brown, Faith 1
RBI: Clark, Mya 2 ; Semien, Kennedy 1 ; Brown, Faith 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Waldrep, Kylie 1 ; Clark, Mya 1 ; Semien, Kennedy 1 ; Brown, Faith 1
SB: Brienesse, Paris 1
.png&width=32&height=32&type=webp)
Batting:
HR: Kiarra Sells 1 ; Morgan Bernardini 1
RBI: Kiarra Sells 3 ; Morgan Bernardini 4 ; Taylor Troutman 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Morgan Stiles 1 ; Kiarra Sells 1 ; Ally Supan 1 ; Abby G. Richardson 1 ; Kinley Keller 1 ; Morgan Bernardini 1 ; Gretta Grassel 1 ; Gabby Schaeffer 1
SB: Kiarra Sells 1
HBP: Morgan Stiles 1
Game Leaders
AB
3
R
0
H
1
RBI
0
AB
3
R
1
H
1
RBI
1
AB
2
R
1
H
1
RBI
1
Players Mentioned
UTL
/ SoftballINF
/ Softball
2B/SS
/ Softball
UTL
/ Softball
RHP/INF
/ Softball
OF
/ SoftballSoftball: Trena Prater Postgame Press Conference - Kajikawa Classic Day 3
Sunday, February 08
Softball: Trena Prater Postgame Press Conference - Kajikawa Classic Day 1
Friday, February 06
JSU vs. Memphis Softball
Sunday, October 19
Wolfchase Toyota Insider: Softball Edition - May 19, 2025
Monday, May 19