April 11, 2008

Game Notes in PDF Format

For Immediate Release
Contact: Brandon Kolditz
wkolditz@memphis.edu, (901) 871-5475

MEMPHIS - The University of Memphis looks to continue its season long five-game winning streak when the Tigers host Southern Miss in a three-game conference series on Saturday and Sunday at the Tiger Softball Complex. The Tigers (21-19, 3-8) will battle the Golden Eagles (20-20, 4-8) in a doubleheader at 1 and 3 p.m. on Saturday followed by a single game at 1 p.m. on Sunday.

Although a 3-8 start in Conference USA play isn't what the Tigers were gunning for, the team is in the exact spot it was last year through 11 games in league play. In fact, the 2007 squad went on to lose four of its next five games to start 4-12 before turning things around by winning the final six conference games to earn the sixth and final spot in the league championship.

Against the Golden Eagles, Memphis head coach Windy Thees will look to capture her 250th career victory. She is two wins shy of the mark. In her eighth season and third at Memphis, Thees has a 248-162 (.605) career mark and 85-70 (.548) total with the Tigers. Thees hit 200 wins last season.

Junior Tori Gross has been a big offensive threat for the Tigers recently. Since returning to the starting lineup on March 12 against Alabama A&M, Gross has hit .349 with a .605 slugging percentage and a .472 on base percentage. Only junior Leila Dolfo has hit better during the stretch with a .352 clip. Prior to her hot streak, Gross was hitting .043. She has two home runs, five doubles and 11 RBI during the stretch. The second baseman is hitting .242 on the year with a .455 slugging percentage. Half of her 16 hits have been for extra bases.

After hitting .188 with 11 runs scored and a .269 on-base percentage during an eight-game losing streak, Memphis' hitting appears to be heading back in the right direction in its five-game win streak. The Tigers have out-scored its opponents 23-9, while batting an improved .246 with a .354 on base percentage. During the slump, the U of M pitching staff had allowed 44 runs in 45 innings with 26 strikeouts and 41 walks for a 5.91 ERA. In the last five games, Tiger pitching has a 1.40 ERA with 27 strikeouts.

Memphis has a 3-2 all-time advantage over Southern Miss and has out-scored the Golden Eagles 18-9. Last year the two teams split a two-game series in Hattiesburg, Miss., after being rained out in the third game. The schools first met in Memphis in 2006 with the Tigers winning two 4-0 contests before dropping a 2-1 10-inning loss.

The Golden Eagles come to Memphis after winning a 1-0 midweek contest at Ole Miss on Thursday. Southern Miss has won six of its last 10 games and earned victories in two out of three contests against UAB in its last league match-up.

Led by first year head coach Howard Dobson, USM already has surpassed its win total from 2007. Last year Southern Miss finished eighth in the league with a 18-38 overall record and a 8-14 league mark.

The Golden Eagles' RPI ranks 92nd with a strength of schedule rated 72nd. The Golden Eagles lead the conference in triples per game and double plays per game and rank 47th and fifth in the categories nationally.

All three games between Memphis and Southern Miss can be followed live through GameTracker. Live streaming video and audio is also available to All-Access subscribers with Dan O'Brien calling the play-by-play. Links to the live content can be found at GoTigersGo.com.

Several promotions are running during the weekend for Tiger fans. On Saturday, all teams receive free admission in their team jerseys. Groups of 10 or more who call ahead of time also get in free of charge. Faculty and staff with their ID also receive free admission for themselves and a guest for the doubleheader.

The final game is Super Senior Sunday with all senior citizens over 55 receiving $2 admission. It is also Faith and Family Day with children receiving free admission and $3 adult admission with a copy of your church bulletin. All Alumni Association members and guest also receive free admission to all three games.

Regular admission is $5 for adults 13 and up and $3 for senior citizens and youth ages 6-12. Children 5 and under and U of M students with their ID card get in free. Tickets can be purchased at the game or by calling (901) 678-2331 or (888) 867-UofM.