Memphis softball faced a tough challenge in Greenville, losing 5-1 to East Carolina in their weekend opener. It was a game filled with action, but the Tigers struggled to make an impact.
What Went Down
In the second inning, East Carolina took the lead, scoring four runs. It started with Gabby Fowler’s RBI single, quickly followed by Kanisha Anderson’s hit that brought in another run. Emma Jackson capped off the inning with a single that added two more runs.
The Tigers did not record a hit until Neely Taylor managed an infield single in the fourth inning. The highlight for Memphis came in the fifth when Anna Sawyer’s RBI single brought in a run after a fielding error. Later in the same inning, Faith Brown made a crucial play, throwing out a runner at home.
Memphis finally broke the shutout in the sixth inning when Kayla Clement scored after a throwing error on a sacrifice bunt by Ariel Davis.
Standout Players
Lyrical Bennett, who took the loss for Memphis, pitched a complete game but fell to 4-5 for the season. East Carolina’s Kendall Frost matched her effort with a complete game of her own.
Neely Taylor recorded the team’s first hit and is also the leading player for Memphis with a .351 batting average. She’s played consistently, starting every game this season. Kayla Clement scored the only run for Memphis and had a hit to her name.
As of this game, Memphis is facing a tough season, trailing in runs against opponents with a total of 205 to 208.
Current Trends
It’s interesting to note that three Tigers—Neely Taylor, Kennedy Semien, and Zoe Adebayo—are hitting over .300, showcasing their talent. However, for a player to qualify for batting statistics, they must participate in at least 75% of games and have a minimum of two plate appearances per game.
Looking at the overall picture, Memphis has been finding it challenging to keep up this season.
What’s Next?
The Tigers will look to bounce back against East Carolina tomorrow at 1 p.m. CST. For the latest updates, you can follow the Memphis Tigers Softball on their social media or visit their official site at GoTigersGo.
Softball seasons can be risky with unpredictable outcomes. As players adjust and learn from these experiences, Memphis will look for improvements moving forward.