Aug. 25, 2011

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - The University of Memphis head softball coach Natalie Poole announced Thursday the Tigers' fall 2011 schedule, which includes an exhibition with the National Pro Fastpitch (NPF) All-Stars for a second-straight year.

Memphis will play eight games during the months of September and October, including a pair of doubleheaders at home at the Tiger Softball Complex.

The Tigers open the fall with three games in the UT Martin Fall Softball Classic in Martin, Tenn. The U of M will play Union, Chattanooga State and Austin Peay on Saturday, September 24.

Memphis will play the NPF All-Stars at First Tennessee Field in Cordova, Tenn., on Friday, September 30. Last fall, the Tigers played two exhibition games against the team that included professional softball players such as Jamee Juarez, Kelly Montalvo, Nicole Pauly, Vicky Galindo, Rachael Mitchell, Cat Osterman, Sarah Pauly, Megan Willis, Francesca Enea, Charlotte Morgan, Kelly Kretschman and Nicole Trimboli.

The Tigers will close out its fall exhibition schedule with four games at home beginning with a doubleheader against Mississippi Valley State at 5 p.m. on Friday, October. 7. Memphis will also play a doubleheader with crosstown institution, Christian Brothers University, on Sunday, October 9 at 2 p.m.

Poole enters her first season as the head coach at Memphis after joining the Tigers from McNeese State. She inherits a program that reached the NCAA Tournament last season in its sixth year of existence.

Memphis finished 36-14 in 2011 and 15-7 in Conference USA. The U of M returns 11 letterwinners including seniors Lelani Bernardino, Nikki Moreno, Alyssa Palmieri and Jessica Phillips.