March 30, 2004

Box Score

JONESBORO, Ark. -- - Four Arkansas State pitchers combined to strikeout 15 Memphis hitters and allowed just four hits as the Tigers lost their third straight game in an 8-2 decision Tuesday night in non-conference action at Tomlinson Stadium. The Tigers fall to 12-10 on the year, while the Indians improve to 14-12.

Memphis took a 1-0 lead in the third inning on a Michael Lewis solo shot to left centerfield, but Arkansas State answered with the tying in the home half of the frame. Brad Burkhead drew a walk to lead off the inning and Mike Sirianni followed with a single. Brad Hayes' RBI single to right centerfield scored Burkhead to knot the game at 1-1.

After the Indians gained the lead with a single run in the bottom of the fifth, the Tigers rallied to tie the contest at two. Jordan Hart beat out a bunt to reach base and Brent Dlugach was hit by a pitch. Hart came around to score the tying run on a wild pitch after advancing to third on a Kurt Welch fielder's choice groundball.

The Tribe, who has now won eight straight at home, took advantage of a Memphis error to score a pair of runs in the seventh and then put the game out of reach, 8-2, with four runs in the eighth.

Reliever Ryan Hamilton (4-3) earned the win for the Tribe and struck out five and held the Tigers hitless in two-and-two-thirds innings. Brandon Rowan (1-1) was saddled with the loss for Memphis.

Dlugach was the only Tiger with multiple hits in the contest, going 2-for-4, while Lewis' homer and Hart's bunt single were the only other Tiger hits.

The Tigers travel to Louisville, Ky. for their next three contests as they battle Louisville in a three-game C-USA series, April 2-4.