March 21, 2001

Box Score

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - The University of Memphis baseball team played host to the 19th ranked Ole Miss Rebels at Autozone Park on Wednesday evening. It marked the first game in 2001 to be played at the downtown Memphis park, which is home to the Memphis Redbirds AAA franchise.

Ole Miss jumped out to an early lead in the top of the second inning, when catcher Carl Lafferty singled home Josh Christian, who had reached on a triple.

Memphis answered back in the bottom of the third, when Josh Payne scored from second on a single by fellow freshman Kyle Scott.

Memphis then added to the lead in their next at-bat, when second baseman Daniel Uggla knocked a 388 foot home run to lead off the bottom of the fourth inning. It was his ninth home run of the season, and fifth in five games.

The Rebels threatened in the sixth inning, putting runners on second and third with one out. But Ryan O'Malley, the Tiger starter, fanned Christian and then Memphis reliever Joshua Cartwright got Craig Nugen to ground out to the shortstop, Michael Lewis, to end the inning.

Memphis picked up one more run in the bottom of the eighth when Tiger centerfielder Paul Reuer stole third base, then scored on the errant throw of Rebel catcher Carl Lafferty.

O'Malley (2-1) got the start, and the win, for the Tigers, going five and two-thirds innings and allowing only one run. Josh Cartwright and Bill Edwards pitched in relief for the Tigers, and Edwards picked up his first save of the year.

For Ole Miss, Dan McShea picked up the loss, his second of the season to go along with one win. Ole Miss falls to 18-6-1 on the season, while the Tigers are now 12-6 for the year.

Memphis hosts the University of Houston this weekend for a three-game C-USA series, and the games will be played at USA Stadium in Millington. Friday's game time is 7 p.m., while Saturday's and Sunday's games will begin at 2 p.m. and 1 p.m., respectively.