Feb. 21, 2007

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - The University of Memphis baseball team will look to get its first win of the season this weekend when they make the short trip to Millington, Tenn. to participate in the 2007 Service Academies Spring Classic. The Tigers will open the 19th Annual Classic on Thurs., Feb. 22 against BYU. First pitch is set for 3 p.m.

Following the Tigers' first-ever meeting with BYU, they will take on another new foe, in the Akron Zips. Memphis and Akron will square off at 4 p.m. on Friday, before the Tigers wrap up its weekend of play with a matchup with 2006 NCAA Super Regional participant, Missouri on Saturday at 4 p.m.

Memphis enters the SASC on the heels of its first season-opening loss since the 2000 season--a 12-9 loss to No. 11 Ole Miss on Tuesday. The Tigers jumped out to a 3-0 lead after the first half-inning of play, but surrendered a six-run first inning and a five-run second, to find themselves trailing 11-3 after two innings of play. Memphis chipped away at the lead behind four hits from senior shortstop Michael Murray and three RBI from senior leftfielder Will Petersen, but the big lead proved to be too much to overcome.

The Tigers, who hold the best record in the history of the tournament, going 30-19 since 1992, will take on a BYU squad that will be making its SASC debut on Thursday. The Cougars are coached by former Major Leaguer Vance Law and are 3-2 in five road games in the early season. Collierville native, J.D. Stambaugh leads the Cougars pitching staff with a 0.00 ERA and a pair of saves in as many appearances. The BYU staff yields a combined 4.79 ERA, but opposing hitters are hitting .304 against them.

Offensively, BYU is led by underclassmen. Freshman Steve Parker leads the team with a .438 average and eight RBI, while sophomores Frank Walton and Leon Johnson both check in with .381 batting averages. Walton paces the team with four doubles.

Akron has yet to open the season, and will do so in Friday's matchup against the Tigers. The Zips return 15 letterwinners and six position starters from last year's team that struggled to a 15-36 finish.

The Tigers round out the weekend with a tough game versus Missouri. Mizzou boasts an impressive 6-1 record at USA Stadium, including championship titles in the 2004 USA Challenge and the 2005 Service Academy Classic.

Missouri is 5-2 on the year, but has faced stiff competition in Arizona State and Oregon State. The Tigers opened the season with three-straight wins at Florida International. They have split a pair of games with Arizona State, including defeating the Sun Devils 3-2 en route to a 2-1 weekend at the Spring Training Classic in Surprise, Ariz.

Mizzou has eclipsed the 10-run mark three times this year, and is averaging 6.5 runs per contest. The Offense is led by Dan Pietroburgo, who is batting a blistering .429 in six games. Ryan Lollis leads the way with 12 RBI and 11 hits. The Tigers hit .294 as a team.

Memphis and Missouri have met 10 times on the baseball diamond, with Mizzou holding a 6-4 series advantage. The two teams have split the last two meetings. Memphis handed Missouri a 7-6 loss in a 13-42 2005 season. Mizzou defeated Memphis 3-2 in the 2004 USA Challenge.