Sept. 29, 2009

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MEMPHIS - Tuesday marked the first day the University of Memphis softball program could work as a team, and the squad opened camp to sunshine and 75 degree temperatures at the Tiger Softball Complex.

"We're excited to go five days a week finally and to practice as a group," said Memphis head coach Windy Thees. "Previous to today we have been working with the kids individually to help them get used to the system and how we want things done and working with their fundamentals."

Memphis will practice as a team through the first week of November with fall exhibition tournaments scheduled on Saturday, October 3; Friday, October 9; and Saturday, October 17.

The Tigers will have four days to prepare as a team before facing its first challenge with a doubleheader against Alcorn State on Saturday. Game time for the double dip has been moved up to 2 and 4 p.m.

"It will be good to see the competition develop between our own players," Thees said. "We have a lot of open spots with our seniors graduating last year. It will be fun to see how that competition drives our team."

The Lady Braves are no stranger to the Tigers' program having played six regular season games against one another the past four seasons. Memphis has a 6-0 all-time advantage against Alcorn State.

The U of M will also play in the fall 2009 SWAC Tournament Champion Mississippi Valley State, Western Kentucky, Union College and Northwest Mississippi Community College.

Twelve letterwinners return from the 2009 spring season for the Tigers, who are joined by seven newcomers. The 2009 squad finished the season ninth in Conference USA with a 7-17 record and were 22-30 overall.

"Last year was not a good year for us, and I think our girls returning know it's within them to make that change; everything that was not successful last year to make it successful this year," Thees said. "As a coaching staff we've kind of done the same thing and evaluated ourselves. So we're ready to put some pressure on them and to make them understand what it takes to play at the Division I level and be a champion at this level."

Memphis will open its 2010 season on the road in Shreveport, La., at the Centenary Spring Tournament hosted by Centenary College on February 12-13.

2009 Fall Schedule

October 3          Alcorn State                        Memphis, Tenn.        2 p.m.

                          Alcorn State                        Memphis, Tenn.        4 p.m.

October 9          Western Kentucky              Memphis, Tenn.        3 p.m.

                          Mississippi Valley State     Memphis, Tenn.         7 p.m.

October 17        Union (Tenn.)                     Memphis, Tenn.         10 a.m.

                          Northwest CC                     Memphis, Tenn.         12 p.m.

 

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