March 4, 2000

Box Score

Memphis, Tn - The losing streak is finally over after ten straight defeats, as the University of Memphis baseball team (1-10) got it's first win of the year over the Leathernecks of Western Illinois (2-8), 6-0. Junior pitcher Jason Wiedmeyer got his first win of the year (1-2), working a full eight innings and allowing zero runs on five hits, while walking three and striking out five in the win.

Memphis scored their first run in the bottom of the second after sophomore catcher Barrett Smith (White Station H.S.), led off with single to third base. Two batters later, senior third baseman Stephen Frix (White Station H.S.) drove Smith in with a single past the second baseman's glove, and the Tigers led 1-0. The game remained quiet until the bottom of the eighth when Memphis would explode for five more unanswered runs that blew the game wide-open. Smith was the hero in this game, as he hit a one-out bases loaded single to right field which scored junior shortstop Gabe Interiano and sophomore second baseman Daniel Uggla, putting Memphis ahead by three. The Tigers weren't done yet, as senior right fielder Tony Lomeli singled to left field and drove in senior designated hitter Nate Sams who was pinch hitting for sophomore first baseman Jay Fik (Christian Brothers H.S.), who was injured the previous inning, and the score was pushed to 4-0. Still in the eighth, redshirt-sophomore Randall Tatum (Kirby H.S.) while pinch-running for Smith would score a run of his own, when Frix reached first base off a fielders-choice, putting Memphis up 5-0. The next batter was sophomore right fielder Keno Anderson (Covington H.S.), who was pinch hitting for senior right fielder Wes Crane. Anderson singled to center and Frix crossed home plate for the Tigers last and winning run, making the final score 6-0.

The loss went to Nathan Rueter who gave up six runs (five earned) on six hits, walked two and struck out five, he is now 0-2 on the year. Senior pitcher/designated hitter Jonathan Leicester, came in to relieve Wiedmeyer in the ninth and faced five batters, allowing one hit and striking out two in the win.

Coach Jeff Hopkins after the game said, "We had great pitching by Wiedmeyer and great defensive plays by Interiano and Uggla. It was a pitching duel until the ninth, and finally Barrett Smith got a big hit in the eighth to break it open for us."

Pacing the Tigers were Smith and Uggla who were a combined 4-for-7 from the plate, with two hits a- piece. Smith was 2-for-3, with two RBI and a walk, while Uggla was 2-for-4 while scoring a run.

These two teams will tangle again tomorrow at 1 p.m. at Nat Buring Stadium. Memphis will host nationally-ranked Mississippi State on March 7th and 8th out at Millington Stadium. The game on Tuesday March 7th will be played at 7 p.m., while Wednesday's game (March 8th) will be played at 2 p.m.