University of Memphis Athletics
University of Memphis
Charlotte
Tigers Go Up Early, Hang On To Beat Forty-Niners 7-6
Apr 02, 2000 | Baseball
April 2, 2000
Memphis, Tn. - The University of Memphis baseball team (9-19, 3-5) got a much-needed win today over C-USA opponent UNC Charlotte (19-12-1, 4-5), winning this one by a score of 7-6. The Tigers avoided a sweep by the Forty-Niners and took advantage of ten team hits to prevail and improve to 3-5 in the conference.
Memphis got on the board in the first inning, as senior pitcher/designated hitter Henry Castor doubled to left field, scoring sophomore center fielder Paul Reuer and the Tigers had an early 1-0 lead. Senior left fielder Nate Sams added to the cause when he hit a triple to center driving in junior shortstop Gabe Interiano and Castor, giving Memphis a 3-0 lead. The lead would increase as sophomore second baseman Daniel Uggla hit a sacrifice-fly to center, scoring Sams and the Tigers took a 4-0 lead into the second inning. UNC Charlotte would score a run in the fourth to narrow the gap and make the score 4-1, heading into the bottom of the inning. The Forty-Niners got another run in the fifth and began chipping away at the Memphis lead, as the score was then 4-2 entering the bottom of the inning. The Tigers however, had another big inning in the fifth, scoring three runs and taking a 7-2 lead into sixth. UNC Charlotte would answer back in the eighth, getting two more runs and the score was then 7-5. The Forty-Niners would threaten to take the lead in the ninth, getting one more run, but would ultimately fall to the Tigers.
Castor started the game on the mound for Memphis, but also served as the DH for the Tigers. He went 2-for-3 with a double and a single while drawing a walk, scoring two runs and grabbing two RBI. Sams wasn't far off, going 2-for-4 with a triple (first Tiger this year to do so) and a single while scoring a run and getting a team-high three RBI. Sams is now hitting .310 on the year.
Junior pitcher Jarod Wilson earned his first win (1-1) of the year, going three-and-two-thirds innings, in the win. Wilson faced 17 batters and allowed three runs (one earned) on three hits while walking two and fanning three. Castor got the start and went four-and-a-third innings, giving up two runs (one earned) on six hits while walking two and striking out two. Senior closer Sean Carlson picked up his third save on the season, going one full inning and allowing one earned run on two hits while walking and striking out a batter.
The loss went to Brannon Hamby (4-3), who faced 23 batters and allowed seven earned runs on ten hits while fanning one.
Coach Jeff Hopkins after the win said, "It was a real tam effort today. The guys came out and played with intensity and put runs on the board to get us an important win."
The Tigers will now host the Indians of Arkansas State on Tuesday April 4th at 7 p.m. in Nat Buring Stadium. They will then travel to Oxford, Mississippi to take on the Rebels of Ole Miss on Wednesday April 5 at 6:30 p.m.
