March 18, 2013

Game 20
March 19, 2013 - Martin, Tenn.
Memphis Tigers  11-8 (0-0 C-USA) Memphis Notes  Media Guide C-USA Notes		Game 20 - Tuesday - 6:00 PM				UT Martin Skyhawks 7-12 (1-5 OVC) UT Martin Notes  Media Guide MVC Notes
		LHP Michael Wills (0-1 4.63 ERA)		RHP John Houston  (1-3 7.63 ERA)
		Listen on WUMR 91.7 FM

MARTIN, Tenn. – At 2-1 on the road this season, Memphis (11-8) puts the road record to test this week as the Tigers set out on a four-game road trip beginning Tuesday at UT Martin (7-12). First pitch is slated for 6 p.m. at Skyhawk Field.

Follow The Action
RADIO - Listen as Jeff Brightwell brings the live play-by-play action on WUMR 91.7 FM.

INTERNET - GoTigersGo.com will offer live play-by-play and statistics ... Live stats are available through GameTracker, linked on the preview for the game.

TWITTER - @UofMBaseball is the official Twitter account for Memphis Baseball. Follow the Tigers throughout the season for in-game updates, behind the scenes photos and much more.

March Baseball
The Tigers have a record of 73-92 in the month of March since 2005. Memphis turned in their best March record in 2007, including an impressive 10-1 record at home. The Tigers have played well at home in the month of March, compiling a record 14 games over .500. However, Memphis is only 15-46 in road contests since 2005. Dating back to 1978, Memphis is 327-188-1 (.635) in March.

Ducks on the Pond
Memphis has had 28 official at-bats with the bases full this season. The Tigers have mustered five hits in the situation, but have left the bases loaded in two of the losses this season. Zach Willis had a three-run double with the bases loaded in the win against Kent State on March 17. Bryce Beeler hit a bases clearing double in game two of the series against Buffalo for the Tigers fourth hit with the bases juiced. Ford Wilson (1-for-3), Nate Rupiper (1-for-3) and Corey Chafin (1-for-1) have the other three Tiger hits with ducks on the pond this season.

The Inside Edge – UT Martin
UT Martin has lost five of its last six games, including a three-game sweep last weekend at the hands of Murray State. The Skyhawks lost game of that series 5-4, but Murray State earned 15-13 and 11-7 wins in the other two games. Byron Johann paces the Skyhawks with a .354 average and he is second on the club with 12 RBI. Wade Collins is hitting .344 with a team-best two home runs and 15 RBI. UT Martin has stolen 15 bases this season in 22 tries. On the mound, UT Martin has a 6.17 ERA in 159 innings pitched. The UTM pitching staff has 140 strikeouts compared to 78 strikeouts. .

Getting Runners on Base
Last season, when Memphis had 14 or more runners reach base in a game, the Tigers had a record of 26-15. On the other side, when the U of M had 13 or fewer base runners in a game, Memphis had a 5-13 mark. So far in 2013, Memphis is 10-5 when 14 or more reach base and 1-3 when having 13 or fewer base runners in a game.

Ironman
Shortstop Ethan Gross has made 112 consecutive starts dating back to the second game of a doubleheader at East Carolina on March 26, 2011. If Gross starts each scheduled game this season he would tie the record for consecutive games started, which is held by Mike Dlugach (149).

One Hit Away
In seven of Memphis’ eight losses this season, the tying run has been on base, at the plate or on deck in the final at-bat. In the season opening loss to Illinois State, the tying run was on deck, but in the other six occasions, the tying run stood on the diamond. In the 10 inning losses to Arkansas State and Kent State, the tying run was on third and at the plate, respectively. Memphis had the bases loaded when the final out was record in two of the eight losses. The Tigers had the tying run at the plate against Alabama with one out in the ninth, but couldn’t make a comeback.

13 Game Hit Streak
Tucker Tubbs enters Tuesday’s game riding a 13-game hit streak. His 13-game hit streak is the fourth-longest hit streak in the last three seasons. With a hit in Tuesday’s game, Tubbs would tie Eli Hynes’ 14-game mark from a season ago and be four shy of the 18 game hit streak by Adam McClain late last season. Tubbs has five multi-hit games during his streak, four two-hit games and three hits against Kent State on March 15.

The Run Around
Memphis pitching has posted a 2.88 ERA so far allowing a total of 71 runs, 55 earned, in 19 outings. Going back to 1978, there have been five other occasions in which the pitching staff held the opposition to 75 or fewer runs over the first 10 games. Prior to this season, the last time the Tigers allowed fewer than 71 runs was in 1984, allowing 67 runs. The table below shows the years that Memphis has limited opponents to 50 or fewer runs in first 16 games and the win/loss record in those games.

Quartet of Lefties
Memphis has started a left-handed pitcher in all 19 games this season. Looking at every Division I baseball squad, the Tigers are the only team to have a lefty start every game this season. California started southpaws in their first 10 games. Kentucky started lefties in their first six games, but a right-handed pitcher started in each team’s next contest. Only 12 other teams started three lefties to start the season, but in their fourth game, a right-hander took the hill.

On The Road Again
Having struggled on the road in the month of March (14-45 since 2005), the Tigers begin a four game road trip at UT Martin. Dating back to 1978, the Tigers carry a 300-408-1 record on the road. The Tigers haven’t had a winning record on the road since 2006 (13-11), but the U of M was 13-13 in 2012. In the 35 year span, Memphis has posted a winning record on the road in 12 seasons, but only once since 1994.

Four Score And…
Since 1970, Memphis has an 856-183-2 (.823) record when opponents score four or fewer runs. Under head coach Daron Schoenrock the Tigers are 125-41 (.753) when the pitching staff holds the opposition under four runs, 10-3 in 2013. Year-by-year breakdown is below:

Cardiac Kids
The Tigers played 22 nail biters last season and sported a 10-12 record in games decided by two runs or less. Memphis won 12-of-15 games down the stretch run last season and in those games, the Tigers were 8-2. Under head coach Daron Schoenrock, Memphis is 89-109 in games decided by two runs or less, 4-5 in 2013.

Game Over
Jonathan Van Eaton recorded his 12th career save on March 2 against ULM, his fourth of 2013. With three more saves, he would pass Matt Yokley for the school record. Van Eaton posted eight saves in 2012, one shy of the single-season record set by Yokley in 2007.

Stolen Base Numbers
The Tigers lead Conference USA with 32 stolen bases on the season, nine better than second-place UCF. The 32 steals are the most for the Tigers among stats available that date back to 2008. Among the 32 steals, eight different players have swiped two or more steals. Ethan Gross leads the club with six steals while Ford Wilson and Zach Willis have five each.

Strong JUCO Arms
Three junior college transfer pitchers have made an immediate impact for the Tigers this season. Alex Gunn (1-1, 0.72 ERA), Jon Reed (2-0, 3.31 ERA) and Conner Porter (1-0, 2.81 ERA) have combined for 57.1 innings pitched and a 2.05 ERA. The trio has walked only 11 batters while striking out 45. Allowing just 52 hits, the trio sports a 1.10 WHIP (walks+hits per inning pitch).

Record Pace
Not only does the Tiger pitching staff sport an outstanding 2.31 ERA, the U of M pitchers are on a record pace for strikeouts and hits allowed in a season. The table below shows where the Tiger pitchers stack up against the record numbers.

Stick It To Cancer
This season, Tiger baseball has teamed up with The Cure Baseball, to create awareness about cancer through the game of baseball. The Tigers are taking part in the Stick It To Cancer Campaign by placing The Cure Baseball's Logo sticker on the back of their batting helmets. The Tigers wear this sticker as a visual sign of support for every man, woman and child battling any and all types of cancer.

The Cure Baseball is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with a goal of raising cancer awareness through the game of baseball. You can read more about the organization and its mission by visiting TheCureBaseball.org.