Bucs head to Memphis for annual Tiger Classic

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (March 17, 2022) – ETSU Softball had its midweek doubleheader against Appalachian State postponed due to weather and will now focus on the 2022 Tiger Classic in Memphis, Tenn. The tournament will begin on Friday, March 18 and will conclude on Saturday, March 19.

TOURNAMENT OUTLOOK
Date: Friday, March 18 – Saturday, March 19
Location: Memphis, Tenn. | Tiger Softball Complex
Teams: ETSU (4-17), James Madison (6-10), Memphis (9-16), Northwestern State (14-11)
Weather: Friday (High 67; Low 42 – thunderstorms); Saturday (High 60; Low 43 – sunny)
Live Stats: Tiger Classic
Twitter Updates: @ETSUSoftball

About the Bucs
The Bucs are coming off a pair of home losses to Miami over the weekend, falling to 4-17 on the season. ETSU has hit a skid of 12 consecutive losses but has the chance to right the ship against the Mountaineers tomorrow. Both Kelly Warren (Mechanicsville, Va.) and Riley Tucker (Mount Pleasant, N.C.) are hitting over .300 with Warren leading the way with a .377 mark. The Virginia native has a team-high 23 hits and has scored 12 runs on the year. In addition, the now ETSU record holder for career stolen bases (73) has swiped 13-of-17 bags this season. Tucker is second on the team in hits with 17 and holds a .304 mark. The Catawba College transfer also leads the team in ERA with a 4.55 clip through 32.1 innings of play.

Lining up with the Lady Demons
ETSU will begin and end the tournament against Northwestern State. The Lady Demons are 14-11 on the season heading into the Tiger Classic. Ballie Ragsdale leads the team in batting with a .347 average behind a team-high 25 hits. Laney Roos also poses a threat at the dish with a .329 average with four homers and a team-best 19 RBIs. Northwestern State is hitting .262 on the season, while posting a 2.62 ERA in the circle. Maggie Darr leads the Lady Demons with a 5-2 mark and a 1.73 ERA.

Matching up with Memphis
The Tigers and Bucs will end Friday’s competition with a showdown at the Tiger Softball Complex. Memphis is 9-16 overall on the season, including 4-6 at home. The Tigers are hitting .258 this spring, led by Gracie Morton with a .376 average and nine RBIs. Camryn Wineinger is right behind Morton with a .324 average with 22 hits and 13 RBIs. Memphis holds a 5.03 ERA with Kailey Hilderbrand leading the charge with a 3.06 ERA.

Downing the Dukes
ETSU will begin Saturday’s doubleheader with a showdown against perennial power, James Madison. The Dukes are having a rough start to the season with a 6-10 overall mark, including 4-6 on neutral grounds. James Madison is batting .244 this spring, led by Hannah Shifflett with a team-best .354 average to go along with a team-high five long balls and 11 RBIs. The Dukes are also boasting a 4.66 ERA in the circle. Alexis Bermudez is 3-4 on the season with a 4.03 mark through 33.0 innings of work.

Series History
ETSU will begin and end the tournament with Northwestern State, a team that the Bucs are 0-2 all-time against. ETSU and Northwestern State last met on the diamond on Feb. 25, 2011 with the Lady Demons winning 6-3. ETSU will be taking on James Madison and Memphis for the first time in program history.

For more information on Buccaneer softball, visit ETSUBucs.com and click on the softball link.