Oct. 6, 2011

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - The University of Memphis softball team will close out its fall exhibition schedule with a pair of doubleheaders at the Tiger Softball Complex on Friday and Sunday.

The Tigers will host a doubleheader with Mississippi Valley State on Friday at 5 and 7 p.m. and then will bring in cross-town Christian Brothers University for a twin bill on Sunday at 2 and 4 p.m. Admission to all four games is free.

Memphis is coming of a 3-0 loss to Team NPF, a squad composed of all-stars from the National Pro Fastpitch league. Tiger pitching held the professional all-stars to an infield single and no earned runs, while striking out eight. Junior Carly Hummel and freshman Jordan Richwoodeach had three K's in two innings of work.

The Tigers will face a familiar foe in Mississippi Valley State on Friday. The two programs have faced each other six times during regular season play with Memphis holding a 6-0 advantage. The U of M has never lost to a team from the Southwestern Athletic Conference in the regular season. Last year, Memphis and MVSU met three times with the Tigers winning 5-1 at the Bulldog Classic in Starkville, Miss., and 8-0 and 2-0 shutouts in a doubleheader in Memphis.

The Delta Devils return nine letterwinners from 2011, including the SWAC Pitcher of the Year and NFCA All-Region selection Kimberly Spivey. New to MVSU are seven freshmen and four junior college transfers.

"I've never faced Mississippi Valley State, but I know they are a contender for the NCAA Tournament every year," said Memphis head coach Natalie Poole. "I know we are going to face some speed, as well as some power and good pitching."

Christian Brothers is coached by a familiar face to Memphis with former catcher Kimmi Hayden leading the NCAA Division II program.

Memphis last faced CBU in a 2007 fall exhibition matchup with the Tigers coming from behind to earn a 2-1 victory. Hayden went 1-for-2 in the game for the U of M with a double and a run scored.

Led by Poole in her first year at Memphis, the Tigers return five of 10 starters and 14 letterwinners from a team that finished 36-14 in 2011 and earned an at-large bid to the NCAA Regional Tournament. Memphis also returns three of four pitchers from a staff that finished third in C-USA with a 1.81 ERA. Joining the group are six newcomers, including two junior transfers.