May 10, 2004

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - The University of Memphis baseball team will look to snap a five-game losing skid when the Tigers take to the road for the final non-conference road series of the year against Middle Tennessee, May 11-12. Both games are set for a 7 p.m. start.

Memphis (22-23) dipped under .500 for the first time this season after being swept in last weekend's Conference USA series at Houston, falling in the series finale with Tulane and suffering a setback against Austin Peay in midweek action. The Tigers are 12-10 overall against non-league teams, but have lost six of its last seven outside of C-USA play. Tiger third baseman Bill Moss has a career-high and equaled a team season-high 13-game hitting streak, while leftfielder Chad House currently has a career-high nine-game hitting streak.

The Blue Raiders (32-17) have four batters who are hitting over .300, led by Derek Phillips and Eric McNamee who are hitting .400 and .395, respectively. MT is riding a five-game win streak and has won five of its last six since facing the Tigers in April. Middle is coming off a three-game sweep of New Orleans in Sun Belt play over the weekend. The Blue Raiders outscored the Privateers 22-0 in the three-game set.

The teams have split each of the last three two-game series, dating back to the 2003 season. Memphis, who is 32-24 all-time against MT, claimed the first game of the 2004 series with a 10-5 win back on April 27. Middle bounced back the next day to take an 8-5 win.

Memphis will return home following the Middle Tennessee series to take on Cincinnati in the final home C-USA series of the season, May 14-16. First pitch for Friday's series opener, at Nat Buring Stadium, is set for 7 p.m.