Memphis Softball Travels to San Antonio for First Road Conference Series Against UTSA

Tigers look to build off early conference experience against Roadrunners

Mar. 13, 2026 at 12:09am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The University of Memphis softball team is set to travel to San Antonio, Texas, this weekend for its first road conference series of the season against UTSA. The Tigers are coming off a tough opening weekend in American Athletic Conference play, where they were swept by preseason No. 2 South Florida. Memphis will look to bounce back against a UTSA squad that swept Tulsa in its conference opener.

Why it matters

This weekend's series marks the first road trip of the conference slate for Memphis, which is looking to gain valuable experience and momentum after a challenging start to league play. UTSA has emerged as a formidable opponent in the American, making this an important early-season matchup between two teams vying for position in the conference standings.

The details

Memphis (7-16, 0-3 American) will face a UTSA (14-12, 3-0 American) team that is led by standout freshman pitcher Arlette Hernandez, who has a 2.73 ERA and 69 strikeouts in 79.1 innings this season. The Roadrunners also boast a potent offense, with five regulars batting above .300. The Tigers will counter with a balanced attack paced by Ariel Davis (.368 average, team-highs in hits, runs, triples, home runs and RBI) and Paris Brienesse (.370 average).

  • The series is scheduled for Friday at 6 p.m., Saturday at 1 p.m. and Sunday at noon.
  • Last season, Memphis earned its only conference series victory over UTSA, including a 9-8 series finale win that saw Roadrunners head coach Vann Steudemann get ejected after a review.

The players

Ariel Davis

Leads the Tigers offense in hits, runs, triples, home runs and RBI while carrying a .368 average and being the only Tiger to have started all 23 games this season.

Paris Brienesse

Has emerged as a consistent piece in the Memphis outfield, leading all Tigers with a .370 average.

Arlette Hernandez

UTSA's standout freshman pitcher, who is 8-4 with a 2.73 ERA in 13 starts and 17 appearances this season, and has more strikeouts (69) than Memphis' entire pitching staff.

Taryn Madlock

UTSA's leading hitter, who tops the Roadrunners in runs (16), home runs (six) and RBI (19).

Vann Steudemann

UTSA's head coach, who was ejected in last season's series finale against Memphis after a review.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This weekend's series against UTSA provides Memphis an opportunity to build off its early conference experience and gain momentum in the American Athletic Conference race, while the Roadrunners look to continue their strong start to league play.