April 23, 2006

Memphis at #19 Houston boxscore in PDF Format
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Memphis (21-21; 6-9 C-USA)      100 010 102 000 002 0- 7 14 2
#19 Houston (28-15; 12-3 C-USA) 230 000 000 000 002 1- 8 13 1

HOUSTON, Texas - Houston rightfielder Matt Weston beat out a fielder's choice groundball that enabled Travis Cougot to score the game-winning run and give the 19th-ranked Cougars an 8-7 win to clinch a series sweep of Memphis, Sunday afternoon at Cougar Field. The game was the longest in Memphis history since the Tigers battled to a 4-4 tie in 21 innings against the Evansville Aces on March 7, 1999. The contest also tied a Conference USA record for the longest game. The game took 4:49 to play.

The loss was Memphis' first extra-inning setback in five games this year. The Tigers had beaten Notre Dame, UT-Martin and Marshall twice in their four previous extra-inning contests.

"Both teams had chances to win," said Daron Schoenrock. "I thought we had more chances in the extra innings, but you have to tip your hat to Houston for executing in the clutch."

Memphis looked to be in position to win the game in the 15th inning, when Jordan Tolliver broke a 5-5 tie with a two-run single. However, Houston responded with a two-run double in the bottom half of the inning by Bryan Tully.

The Tigers evened the slate in the ninth on consecutive hits by Lieberman and Norrid to lead off the inning. Josh Irvin sacrificed the runners to third and second, respectively before pinch-hitter Chris Newsom lined the first pitch he saw up the middle for a two-run, game-tying single.

Memphis got on the scoreboard with a run in the first after Will Petersen lined a double into the leftfield corner and came around to score on a single by Adam Amar.

A pair of two-run home runs pushed Houston to five runs in the first two innings. The Cougars took a 2-1 lead in the first on a towering drive over the rightfield wall by Matt Weston. A two-run homer to left by Jake Stewart highlighted a three-run second that put Houston ahead comfortably at 5-1.

Cougar starter Luis Flores retired the next 12 Tigers before Tolliver doubled to the right centerfield gap and moved to third when UH centerfielder Bryan Tully mishandled the ball. Cory Barton's sac fly to right made it 5-2. Tolliver led Memphis with four hits on the afternoon.

Memphis continued to chip away at the Houston lead with a trio of hits in the top of the seventh. Joey Lieberman singled to left and Kyle Norrid dribbled a single through the right side. Lieberman scored on a single to right by Tolliver.

Freshman righthander Scott McGregor earned a no-decision for Memphis after giving up three earned runs in just three innings. Matt Yokley came on in relief to strike out four in 4.1 innings of relief. Ben Grisham was stellar in relief for Memphis, holding the Cougars to just two runs in 6.2 innings. He scattered six hits and struck out five. Lance Scoggins took the loss. In the game, Tiger relievers held UH scoreless for 11.2 innings.

Houston got its third-straight pitching gem from Luis Flores, who scattered seven hits and fanned four over 7.2 innings. However, he was tagged with a no-decision after reliever Clayton Boone was unable to hold the Tigers' offense off the board in the final inning. Shea Hancock pitched a scoreless 16th inning to earn the win.

The Tigers will now take the midweek off from competition, before returning to action on Sat., April 29 when they square off against Arkansas-Pine Bluff in the nightcap of a three-team doubleheader. UAPB will play Mississippi Valley State at 1 p.m. Memphis and UAPB square off at 5 p.m. The U of M and MVSU play on Sunday at 1 p.m.