MEMPHIS, Tenn. - The Wichita State Softball team continues its road trip with a three-game series against Memphis starting with a doubleheader on Friday. 

SCOUTING MEMPHIS
Memphis is coming off a series loss to UConn and a 15-3 defeat at Mississippi State on Wednesday. The Tigers are in desperate need of some momentum, currently sitting in a tie for sixth with a 3-6 conference record. Memphis has two of the best offensive players in the American Athletic Conference in Baylee Smith and Ashley Threatt. Smith holds a batting average of .374 to lead the Tigers and has collected nine doubles with four home runs and has drove in 26 runs. Ashley Threatt provides significant offense for Memphis, hitting .343 with six home runs and 26 RBIs. Ryleigh Angst also provides power at the plate, coming up with six home runs this season. Memphis is led in the circle by Mariah Nichols, who has the most appearances with 31. Nichols has collected 80 strikeouts with a 3.89 earned run average while Karli Pergue provides a boost, striking out 69 batters this season. Memphis has had four different pitchers start games for them this season.

LAST MEETING
After dominating the second game of the series 11-1, the Shockers fell short of the series win at Wilkins Stadium last season. Despite three Wichita State batters collecting two hits, Memphis claimed the extra innings victory on March 25 to claim the series in the Shockers' first ever conference series in the American Athletic Conference.

WALKING IN MEMPHIS
The Shockers make their first trip to Memphis in nine years. Wichita State last played the Tigers on the road in 2010, where they split a doubleheader to open up the season. This marks the first time the Shockers and the Tigers meet in Memphis as members of the American Athletic Conference.

SHIFTING POSITIONS
Wichita State has used several lineup combinations this season, including shifting defensive positions. The Shockers have had five players play at least two different positions this season, with Sydney McKinney being the only player on the team to have played three different positions. In the second game of the doubleheader against Arkansas on Wednesday, McKinney was inserted into right field after playing second and third base for the majority of the season.

DON'T COUNT US OUT
When the Shockers have been down to their last out, the party has just gotten started for them at the plate. Wichita State has scored 57 runs with two outs, hitting 10 out of 28 of its home runs during that stretch.

GETTING 'EM AROUND
Senior Laurie Derrico needs two home runs to move into first place in the Shocker record books. Currently in second with 38, Derrico would pass Cacy Williams (2014-16). Derrico has reached double figures in home runs in the previous two seasons.

FRIENDLY COMPETITION
As leaders of Wichita State's all-time slugging percentage list, Madison Perrigan and Laurie Derrico have been competing for the top spot. Perrigan recently passed Derrico for the third-highest slugging percentage in program history this week, now having a mark of .579. Cacy Williams (2014-16) leads the pack with a .637 career slugging percentage.

LATE INNING MAGIC
The Shockers have put its best forward when the game is on the line, dominating its opponents in the last three innings. Wichita State has outscored its opponents 73-61 in the final three innings, including a domination in the sixth inning (40-23).

FREE SOFTBALL
Wichita State has played in three extra innings games this season, all turning into victories. When the Shockers have to go past the seventh inning, they turn the heat up offensively. They have outscored their opponents 7-1 in extra innings, including a three-run outing in the top of the 10th in a win at UCF last weekend.

GETTING THE BASES
Madison Perrigan has made it her mission to get on base under any circumstance. She currently leads the American Athletic Conference in total bases with 79, most walks drawn with 31 and most home runs with nine. Having a slugging percentage of .653 this season, Perrigan is also fifth in the conference in that category.

TAKE YOUR BASE
Freshman Lauren Mills has helped the Shockers offensively from the jump as a freshman, utilizing her at-bats to get on base. Mills currently leads the American Athletic Conference in on-base percentage, dominating the way with a .540 mark.

EXECUTING WHEN IT COUNTS   
When the Shockers have runners in scoring position, they make sure to send drive in the runs. Wichita State has six players hitting .300 or better when runners are in scoring position, with Ryleigh Buck leading the way with a .441 batting average. Lauren Mills and Neleigh Herring have provided power in those situations, both hitting above .400.