The University of Memphis softball team finally gets to play in front of its home crowd this weekend. After opening the 2026 season on the road at the Kajikawa Classic in Tempe, the Tigers (2-3) return to Tigers Softball Complex to host the 901 Classic — a 14-game, three-day round robin featuring Ball State, Miami (OH), Evansville, Kansas City, and Southern Indiana. All five Memphis games will be broadcast on ESPN+.
Friday’s doubleheader kicks things off with Ball State at 5 p.m. CT and Miami at 7 p.m. CT.
Memphis earned two wins over Toledo in Arizona before dropping games to Texas State, Northwestern, and Arizona State. That Arizona State game stung — the Sun Devils walked it off, handing the Tigers a 3-4 loss. But there were plenty of positives to build on heading into the home opener.
Ariel Davis and Mya Clark, both American Conference honorable mentions, have led the charge offensively. Davis leads the team with eight hits and two triples, and she’s tied with Clark for the team lead with four extra-base hits apiece. Clark made a statement in her first weekend as a Tiger, launching two home runs while also collecting a double and a triple. She pulled double duty and earned her first collegiate win in the circle with a 1.75 ERA across four innings against Toledo.
Kennedy Semien carries a team-best .500 batting average, Taniyah Brown has driven in three runs, and newcomer Paris Brienesse owns a 1.600 OPS in limited at-bats. On defense, shortstop Deana Cunningham, Davis, and first baseman Taylor Caton have all been solid.
In the circle, Rylee Dugar has been the most consistent arm so far, pitching to a 1-1 record with one save and a team-best 3.50 ERA among qualified pitchers. Memphis used six pitchers during opening weekend, with five logging at least one strikeout and three recording five or more. No one on the staff has thrown more than 8.1 innings yet.
The first opponent, Friday, Ball State (2-3), arrives from the FGCU Kickoff Classic, where both wins came by run rule over Long Island. The Cardinals dropped a 5-3 game to American Conference foe Charlotte. Skylinn Pgoue leads the offense at .467, and Lindsey DeRoeck drove in 10 runs across five games. Gracy Gray carries a 1-1 record with 12 strikeouts, and Ella Whitney also sits at 1-1 in just 5.1 innings. Memphis is 1-0 all-time against Ball State, winning 5-1 in their only meeting back in 2018.
The nightcap brings the toughest test of the weekend. Miami (4-1) is the preseason MAC favorite and ranked as the 10th-best mid-major program by D1Softball. The RedHawks beat Minnesota, San Diego State, and Loyola Chicago in their opening weekend. Reigning MAC Pitcher of the Week Angelina Ricciardi leads the way in the circle with a 1.08 ERA, a 3-0 record, and one save across 13 innings. Presley Hosick has thrown a team-high 16 strikeouts over 18 innings. At the plate, Miami has four hitters above .400 and five with an extra-base hit, headlined by Danitza Hernandez with two home runs and eight RBI. The Tigers are 0-2 all-time against Miami, last falling 5-0 in 2012.
Friday sets the tone for everything that follows this weekend.
