MEMPHIS, Tenn. \u2013\u00a0The University of Memphis softball team fell by run-rule in a 10-1 series-opening loss to Florida Atlantic Friday afternoon at Tigers Softball Complex.
\n\u00a0
\nMemphis (17-34, 5-17 American) failed to capitalize in two bases-loaded situations and a total of eight walks helped Florida Atlantic (30-17, 11-11 American) get out to an early lead.
\n\u00a0
\nHOW IT HAPPENED<\/p>\n
NOTABLES<\/p>\n
UP NEXT
\n\tFlorida Atlantic jumped out to a four-run lead in the first inning on two RBI groundouts and two RBI singles.
\n\t
\n\t\tFaith Brown<\/a> singled in the bottom half for Memphis but was stranded.
\n\t
\n\t
\n\tA fielding error and four consecutive walks led to two more runs for the Owls in the second inning.
\n\tThree more walks issued by the Memphis staff in the third inning led to three more runs for Florida Atlantic on a sacrifice fly and a two-RBI single.
\n\tNeely Taylor<\/a> and Ariel Davis<\/a> hit back-to-back two-out singles, while Faith Brown<\/a> reached on a hit-by-pitch, but the Tigers stranded the bases loaded on a swinging strikeout by Jasmine Mack<\/a>.
\n\tA third Memphis fielding error gave Florida Atlantic its 10th run of the contest on a grounder hit by Cameryn Orland.
\n\tMemphis stranded the bases loaded for a second consecutive inning after Deana Cunningham<\/a> and Kylie Waldrep<\/a> were each hit by a pitch and Jaila Mitchell<\/a> singled.
\n\tMemphis broke up the shutout bid on a fifth-inning sacrifice fly off the bat of Jasmine Mack<\/a>, but the Tigers were unable to climb out from the run-rule deficit.
\n\t
\n\t\tAriel Davis<\/a> scored on the play after singling to lead off the fifth and advancing on a pair of wild pitches.
\n\t
\n\t
<\/p>\n
\n\tAfter moving the game’s start time from 5 p.m. to 1 p.m., a three-hour weather delay resulted in the game beginning at 4 p.m.
\n\tMemphis has now been hit by a pitch 40 times this season, four shy of the single-season team record and a mark that sits 32nd in the NCAA and tied for second-most in the American.
\n\t
\n\t\tToday’s game also marks the sixth time this season that Memphis was hit by a pitch three times in the same game.
\n\t
\n\t
\n\tMemphis’ pitching staff failed to record a strikeout for just the second time this season, with the only other instance being a 12-3 loss to South Florida on March 6.
\n\t
\n\t\tIt was also the eighth time this season that Memphis has issued at least eight walks.
\n\t
\n\t
\n\tAriel Davis<\/a> was 2-for-3 on the day with a run scored.
\n\t
\n\t\tDavis has now eclipsed 50 hits on the season, the first Tiger to do so since Gracie Morton’s 66 hits in 2022.
\n\t
\n\t
\n\tJasmine Mack<\/a> logged Memphis’ only RBI of the contest with a sacrifice fly.
\n\tNeely Taylor<\/a> went 1-for-3 in the leadoff spot.
\n\t
\n\t\tTaylor is now one hit away from reaching 100 in her collegiate career.
\n\t
\n\t
\n\tFaith Brown<\/a> was 1-for-2 in the loss, also reaching on a hit-by-pitch.
\n\tJaila Mitchell<\/a> went 1-for-2 at the plate.
\n\tDeana Cunningham<\/a> reached once on a hit-by-pitch, also tallying a stolen base.
\n\t
\n\t\tCunningham now ranks tied for fifth in single-season hit-by-pitches with her ninth of the year.
\n\t
\n\t
\n\tKylie Waldrep<\/a> reached once on a hit-by-pitch after entering as a defensive replacement.
\n\t
\n\t\tNow having been hit by a pitch eight times, Waldrep sits tied for seventh in single-season Tigers history.
\n\t
\n\t
\n\tRylee Dugar<\/a> tossed three innings of relief, allowing one unearned run while only allowing two batters to reach.
\n\t
\n\t\tDugar is one-third of an inning from tying Janelle Valle for the eighth-most innings pitched in program history.
\n\t\t\u00a0
\n\t
\n\t
<\/p>\n
\n\u00a0
\nMemphis’ series against the Owls continues tomorrow with first pitch set 2 p.m.
\n\u00a0
\nSINGLE GAME TICKETS ON SALE NOW
\n\u00a0
\nSingle-game tickets are on sale for the 2026 season. Ticket prices will vary based on seat location (standing room only or reserved bleachers), denoted by a color-coded wristband.
\n\u00a0
\nTickets will be free for all current University of Memphis students. Up to two fans ages 17 and under will be allowed free admission per paid adult that enters with them. Please note that tickets for children ages 17 and under will be for the standing room only section. Reserved seating tickets must be purchased if adults would like them to have a seat in the bleachers.
\n\u00a0
\nAs a reminder, fans are not permitted to bring umbrellas into the venue and Tigers Softball Complex has a clear bag policy.
\n\u00a0
\nTickets can be purchased using THIS LINK<\/a>.
\n\u00a0
\nHOW TO FOLLOW THE TIGERS
\n\u00a0
\nFor complete information on\u202fMemphis Tigers Softball, visit\u00a0www.GoTigersGo.com<\/a>\u00a0and follow the team’s social media channels on\u202fTwitter<\/a>,\u202fInstagram<\/a>,<\/a>\u202fand\u202fFacebook<\/a>.