The University of Memphis softball team will conclude its regular season with a series against the Wichita State Shockers, who have won 11 of their last 12 conference games, according to an April 29 announcement. The games are scheduled for Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, with start times at 6 p.m., 6 p.m., and noon Central Time respectively. All games will be broadcast on ESPN+.
This series marks the end of the regular season for Memphis (18-35, 6-18 American), which is seeking to build momentum after achieving its first-ever win over Florida Atlantic with a walk-off two-run home run. One player currently leads the Tigers in batting average (.387), OPS (1.126), hits (55), runs (33), doubles (11), and walks (20). She was recently named a weekly honorable mention by the American Conference. Another key player leads in home runs (8) and RBI (37); her RBI total ties for fourth-most by a Tiger in single-season history.
On the pitching side, one freshman has recorded seven wins this season and leads Memphis in ERA (5.48), innings pitched (107.1), strikeouts (51), and saves (2). Additional pitchers have contributed significant innings with varying strikeout totals, while two others have maintained sub-4.00 ERAs during limited appearances.
Wichita State enters the series with a record of 32-16 overall and an 18-6 mark in conference play after losing to Kansas earlier this week. The Shockers’ offense is led by Ausha Moore—who has hit 20 home runs and driven in 51 runs—and Kinzey Woody, who was recently named to the NFCA Freshman of the Year Top 25 Watchlist after recording more than .350 batting average along with notable extra-base hits and RBIs.
In pitching, Ryley Nihart has been Wichita State’s primary arm this year with a record of 15-10 over nearly half their innings pitched; Ava Sliger and Jade Sanders have also contributed as supplemental pitchers. Sanders was recognized as American Conference Pitcher of the Week following her performance against North Texas.
Historically, Memphis holds a record of four wins against twenty-one losses versus Wichita State since their first meeting in 2010. Last year’s matchup saw Memphis take one game from Wichita during their final weekend meeting—a game where only two current Tigers had hits.
