Feb. 23, 2009

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - The University of Memphis baseball team will open its 2009 home schedule on Tues., Feb. 24 when it hosts Murray State in a non-conference affair at Gagliano Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m.

In the first of three games to be played at Gagliano this season, the Tigers look to ride the momentum of a solid opening weekend into regular season play. Memphis went 2-1 with a pair of wins over Kansas to claim the Runner-up trophy at the 2009 Service Academies Spring Classic in Millington, Tenn. The club kicked of the season with a 5-4 comeback win over the Jayhawks to snap a two-game season opening losing streak. After falling to the Service Academies Classic champ, Bradley on Saturday, the Tiger bounced back and got a pair of strong pitching performances to hand KU a 2-1 defeat. Sunday's win was the 100th for Tiger skipper Daron Schoenrock.

About Memphis
Memphis used pitching to power its two wins over the weekend. Junior southpaw Brennon Martin put together a quality start on Opening Day, striking out five and holding Kansas scoreless in six innings. Junior Brach Davis provided the Tigers with a strong start. He limited the Jayhawks to just one run on two hits to earn the win in his first start of the season. Davis struck out four of the first six batters he faced and retired the first eight Kansas batters. Freshman Heith Hatfield, the reigning C-USA Pitcher of the Week, had one of the most dominant collegiate debuts in Memphis baseball history in preserving a 2-1 win over Kansas on Sunday, the Tigers second win over the Jayhawks in three days at the Service Academies Classic. The righthander struck out eight batters and held KU to just one hit in three innings of relief to earn a save in his first outing in the collegiate ranks. Hatfield notched a Tiger record by fanning four batters in the eighth inning. He retired six of the first eight batters he faced on strikes.

Offensively, the Tigers were led by freshman Drew Martinez. After three games, Martinez leads the team in hitting (.429), hits (6), runs (2), doubles (2), total bases (8), slugging (.571) and on-base percentage (.467) in the opening weekend. He hit safely in all three contests, including posting multiple hits in twice. Cole Shelton hit .375 over the weekend, while Trey Wiedman drove in a team-best three RBI. Senior outfielder Chris Newsom has hit safely in all three games, including driving in the game-tying run and scoring the game-winning tally in the season-opener versus KU.

Scouting the Thoroughbreds
Guided by sixth-year head coach Rob McDonald, Murray State returns 19 letterwinners from last year's squad that finished the 2008 season with a 21-30 record. McDonald surpassed the 100-win mark at Murray with his first win over South Dakota State last weekend.

Much like the Memphis, Murray State comes in to the season with a 2-1 mark after taking two of three from South Dakota State last weekend. The Breds pitching staff was effective, holding SDSU to a combined nine runs in the series for a 2.77 ERA. Relievers Lucas Allen and Dan Huff lead the way with 0.00 ERA's. Both hurlers tossed three scoreless innings, struck out four and picked up a save. The staff has a combined 25 strikeouts.

Daniel Hill's .417 batting average, nine total bases, five hits and five RBI paces the MSU offense. Wes Cunningham also swings a hot bat, bringing a .400 average into the midweek tilt. However, no other Murray hitter with 10 at-bats, hits over .275. The Thoroughbreds hit just .222 as a team.

All-time Series vs. Murray State
Memphis is 59-33 all-time against Murray State after splitting last year's season series. The 59 wins are the second-most against any U of M opponent.

Last Time vs. Murray State
Memphis 17, Murray State 14
Memphis (14-21) 053 140 202 - 17 18 1
Murray State (12-18) 313 100 105 - 14 18 3

MURRAY, Ky.--Memphis put up its most productive offense performance of the year, pounding out 18 hits en route to 17-14 win in a non-conference slugfest versus Murray State on April 15, 2008. Senior catcher Alex Fennell led the Tigers with a career-best 4-for-6 day.

The contest showcased 31 runs on 36 hits. Trailing 17-9 in the bottom of the ninth, Murray staged a furious rally, scoring five runs for the 17-14 final.