Feb. 18, 2001

Box Score

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Freshman right fielder Josh Payne (Houston H.S.) began his career at the U of M in dramatic fashion, coming through with the game-winning single in the bottom of the seventh inning to defeat Lipscomb University, 2-1 on Sunday afternoon in the first game of a double-header.

Payne's single through the right-side of the infield allowed junior second baseman Daniel Uggla to score the winning run in Head Coach Dave Anderson's much-awaited debut for Memphis and gave the Tigers the first game of a double-header with the Bison.

Payne was the hero early on as well, after ripping a shot over the wall in left-center for the Tigers' first run of the game and the 2001 season. The solo shot tied the game at one in the bottom of the fifth, after the Bison got on the board first with a solo bomb of their own by Sam Hamstra.

Payne was nearly perfect, going 2-for-3 with a home run and a single in his first game as a Tiger. Uggla was equally impressive with a 2-for-3 mark as well, with two doubles and a run scored.

"I can't put it into words," said Payne. "It felt incredible to come out here and play so well in my first game. I can only hope it keeps getting better."

Senior pitcher Jason Wiedmeyer was on target in his debut going for seven full innings of work and allowing only three hits, a walk and one earned run for his first victory of the season.

"It was a real confidence booster to come out here and throw a complete game my first time out, especially after the way I started last season," said Wiedmeyer. "I only threw 82 pitches, and I was throwing good stuff."

Hamstra was also 2-for-3 on the day with a home run and a single, in Lipscomb's third loss of the season. Jason Gray went for six and two-thirds, allowing six hits but striking out nine his second loss of the season.

In the second-half of the double-header, Memphis continued to roll and scored two runs in the bottom of the fifth to win the second game 4-3, sweeping the double-header.

Memphis took a 2-1 advantage into the top of the fourth when senior third baseman Tyler Shelton singled up the middle, which scored Uggla and freshman left fielder Bill Edwards. One inning later, Lipscomb loaded the bases and grabbed two more runs after Miguel Ramirez singled through the middle, giving the Bison a 3-2 lead after four-and-a-half innings of play.

Memphis then bounced back and secured their second win of 2001, already improving from last year's dismal opening mark where the Tigers lost their first ten games before picking up their first win.

Shelton wound up with three RBI's and also had the game-winning single. On the day, Uggla went 3-for-5 with two doubles, drew two walks and also provided nine assists from his post at second base.

Sophomore pitcher Joshua Cartwright picked up his first save of the year in the second game, going for two innings and allowing only one hit. He picked up a strikeout, as well. Matt Krabbe, junior right-handed pitcher, started for the Tigers and went five innings to pick up his first win for Memphis.

"The keys to these wins were pitching and defense," said Coach Anderson. "We did not swing the bats particularly well, but the rain has kept us from seeing any live pitching in practice for a week. So we relied on our starters on the mound, and Cartwright came in and finished up excellently for us."