May 29, 2006

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - University of Memphis junior shortstop Michael Murray and outfielder Will Petersen were named to the 2006 Conference USA All-Tournament team as announced by league officials.

Murray, who hit .286 in the regular season, exploded in the eight-team postseason field and finished the week with a team-leading .538 (7-for-13) tournament average. In addition, he slugged .692 with four RBI, four runs scored and three walks. He was equally as impressive in the field, posting 16 assists and six putouts. The highlight of Murray's week came in the 7-4 semifinal loss to No. 1 Rice when he lined a two-out, bases loaded triple to rightfield to cut the Owls lead to 5-4. Murray went 2-for-4 with three RBI versus the top-ranked Owls and 3-for-4 in the Tigers' 13-2 win over UAB. Murray hit safely in all four contests.

Petersen hit .412 (7-for-17) in the four tournament games. He too hit safely in all four games, producing multiple hits in each of the first two games. For the week, the Tiger junior scored four runs, stroked three doubles and added four RBI. He went 2-for-3 with two doubles and three RBI in Memphis' win over UAB on Thursday. Petersen finished the year on a 12-game hit streak.

Memphis finished the season with a 32-28 record--the program's second 30-win season since 1995. The 2-2 C-USA Tournament showing was the Tigers' best since going 2-2 in 2001.

ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM
C        Ty Wallace, Tulane
IF       Greg Buchanan, Rice
IF       Isa Garcia, Houston
IF       Michael Murray, Memphis
IF       Joe Savery, Rice
OF       Jordan Dodson, Rice
OF       Will Petersen, Memphis
OF       Jake Stewart, Houston
DH       Brad Lincoln, Houston
P        Bobby Bell, Rice
P        Bryce Cox, Rice
P        Luis Flores, Houston
P        Shane Mathews, East Carolina
MVP:     Joe Savery, Rice