March 1, 2000

Box Score

Memphis, Tn - The University of Memphis baseball team (0-10) dropped another loss today to the Blue Raiders of Middle Tennessee State (3-4), falling 6-2 on a late three-run homer by Brian Peck off the scoreboard in left-centerfield. The Tigers were swept by the Blue Raiders in the best-of-two series this week, and are still searching for their first win of the year. Memphis never lead, but scored two runs in the bottom of the sixth narrowing the gap 3-2. Senior relief pitcher Jarod Wilson pitched a solid six and one-third innings, facing 23 batters and giving up only one unearned run on six hits, while striking out two and walking none.

MTSU scored their first three runs in the first and second innings, and from there the game remained quiet until the bottom of the sixth when the U of M answered back with two runs of their own. Redshirt-sophomre Jay Fik (Christian Brothers H.S.) blasted a solo bomb over the rightfield wall to get the Tigers on the board, his second home run of the year. After the bases were loaded with one out senior rightfielder Wes Crane drew a walk which scored sophomore catcher Barrett Smith (White Station H.S.) and helped Memphis narrow the gap, 3-2. The next two innings were non-scoring affairs and the Tigers were beginning to hope for the best. That was until the top of the ninth, when Wilson was relieved by senior pitcher/designated hitter Jonathan Leicester who gave up a three-run blast that virtually ended any hopes for a Memphis win. The Tigers would attempt a comeback but ended the game with a 1-2-3 inning and that was all for Memphis.

Taking the loss for the Tigers was senior pitcher/designated hitter Henry "Butch" Castor, who started the game and worked two full innings, facing eight batters and giving up three unearned runs on three hits while striking out one and walking three. Castor's record is now set at 0-2 for the year. For the Blue Raiders, the starter Jason Moates grabbed the win, going five and one-thirds innings while facing 20 batters, giving up two runs on six hits and striking out two. Moates is now at 1-1 on the season for MTSU.

Even in the losing effort, all three Memphis pitchers combined gave up six runs, all of which were unearned. The Tigers had three defensive errors to the Blue Raiders none.

Coach Jeff Hopkins after the game said, "We had a shot to win late in the game because of a great pitching effort by Jarod Wilson."

Memphis' next home stand is this weekend when they play host to the Leathernecks of Western Illinois in a two-game series. The first game is scheduled for Saturday, March 4th at 1 p.m. in Nat Buring Stadium. Followed, by the final game of the series to be played on Sunday, March 5th at 1 p.m. in Nat Buring Stadium, as well.