April 10, 2006

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - The University of Memphis baseball team will be back in front of the home crowd this week when it begins a seven-game homestand with midweek contests against Murray State and Arkansas State on Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively. Memphis, who is 19-13, has won six-straight and seven of its last eight.

The Tigers are riding the momentum of its six-game streak that has been highlighted by a three-game sweep of Marshall over the weekend. In both the series opener and finale, Memphis found itself behind by two runs in the ninth inning, but managed to plate two runs to tie before winning in extra-innings. The Tigers got game-winning hits from Josh Irvin in the opener and Alex Fennell in the finale. The sweep was Memphis' first road sweep in Conference USA action since the 1998 season.

Memphis' Tuesday opponent, Murray State, come to town with an 8-24 mark. The Breds have lost 13 of the last 14 games, including a stretch of 11-straight losses. The Tigers handed MSU a 13-6 loss on Mar. 14. Adam Amar went 3-for-5 with an RBI and two runs scored, while Michael Murray also posted multiple hits in a 2-for-3 performance to help the Tigers to the ninth win of the year. The Thoroughbreds committed five errors in the game. Memphis holds a 57-30 mark all-time against Murray.

The Breds are hitting just .261 as a team and have hit three home runs in 32 games. In addition they have struck out 223 times. Seth Hudson leads the team with a .368 average, while Tyler Pitman is the power man with a team-high 12 doubles and 19 RBI.

Murray State pitchers have a combined 5.76 ERA, but have given up a .302 average to opposing hitters.

Arkansas State is 17-15 after sweeping Arkansas-Little Rock in Sun Belt play this weekend. The Tribe has won each of its last four games, one of which was a 6-5 triumph over Murray State. ASU defeated Memphis 5-3 earlier this year. The Tribe held the Tigers to four hits. A triple by Adam Amar and a two-run home run by Robbie Goss highlighted a three-run second inning, but that was all the runs Memphis' offense could muster.

The Indians offense sports a .291 average, but is just 3-9 on the road this year. Brett Kinning is swinging a hot bat with a .402 average. Josh Yates and Tyler Doak are the only other regulars with averages above .300.

ASU pitchers have held opponents to a 278 clip at the plate and have a 6.00 ERA. Brian Schuck paces the staff with a 3.33 ERA in 11 appearances, while closer Tim Egart leads the staff with four wins and four saves.