Nov. 8, 2007

MEMPHIS, Tenn. -

Garibaldi's Series Game 3
Gray	000 050 3 - 8
Blue 	100 000 0 - 1

Behind a three-hit, 10-strikeout performance from freshman lefthander Ryan Holland, the Gray team breezed to an 8-1 win over the Blue team in game four of the Garibaldi's Series. The Gray side is now just one win away from a series sweep in the Memphis baseball program's season-ending scrimmage series.

Holland was masterful in a five-inning outing, giving up the lone Blue team run in the first inning. After giving up that run, the freshman southpaw retired nine of the next 12 batter and exited the contest with a 5-1 advantage. From there junior closer Matt Yokley closed the doors with three strikeouts in the final two innings of play.

The final score was not at all indicative of how close of a game it really was. The Blue team got on the board early, as freshman outfielder Robbie Graham opened the contest with a single. He swiped second and later put the Blue on top 1-0 when he scored on a groundball out by Tyler Huelsing.

That run would be the only run of the game after four innings of play. Blue starter Marcus Barnes tangled with Holland to make it quite a pitcher's duel. Barnes held the Gray team scoreless through four innings and kept a no-hitter in tact for three innings until giving up a leadoff single in the fourth. Even after the hit, Barnes was not rattled as he then struck out the side. He finished the day with five strikeouts in 4.1 innings of work.

The momentum shift in the contest came in the home half of the fourth inning. With a 1-0 lead, the Blue team got a leadoff double from Tyler Roberts. Roberts stole third, but was left stranded after Holland struck out the next three batters to end the threat. The Gray then responded with five runs in the top of the fifth.

Barnes, who struggled with control late in the game, hit three batters. That proved to be what got him into trouble in the fifth. After hitting fellow freshman Chad Zurcher to lead off the frame, the Gray erupted for five scores. An infield hit followed by another hit batsman loaded the bases for Zach Helton. Helton put the Gray team on top for good with a bases-loaded, two-run double. Chase Sain made it back-to-back two-run doubles and gave the Gray a 4-1 cushion, before a sacrifice fly by Adam McClain capped the five-run inning.

The Gray tacked on three more runs in the seventh for the 8-1 final.

Helton, McClain and Sain were the offensive standouts for the Jerry Zulli's Gray lineup. Helton and McClain ripped two hits and drove in three runs each, while Sain was 1-for-5 with two RBI.

Free passes ultimately hurt Mike Federico's Blue team's chances. Combined with 13 strikeouts at the plate, the Blue squad gave away 11 free bases. They hit four batters, made two errors, had one passed ball, a wild pitch, two walks and one intentional pass. The Gray limited its miscues, committing just one error and walking two in the game.

"This has been a good series," said Tiger Head Coach Daron Schoenrock. "I'm disappointed that one team is up three games to none, but I'm excited about how hard both teams are playing. I'm enjoying the opportunity to evaluate the 2008 roster as we begin to make lineup decisions."

Schoenrock will get more opportunities this afternoon in game four of the series as the Gray squad will go for the sweep at 2:45 p.m. Blue team senior righthander Duke Williams will battle Gray team sophomore righty Chris Novikoff.

Upcoming Starters

Game 4 • Thursday, Nov. 8 • 2:45 p.m.
Blue - Duke Williams (Sr., RHP)
Gray - Chris Novikoff (So., RHP)


Game 5 • Friday, Nov. 9 • 2:00 p.m.
Gray - Jonathan Jones (Fr., RHP)
Blue - Garrett Hachtel (So., RHP)