The University of Memphis baseball team begins the 2001 season on Valentine's Day.
Lovers of Tiger baseball can witness the debut of the Dave Anderson led team at home versus Southeast Missouri State at Nat Buring Stadium on Wednesday, Feb. 14th at 2 p.m.
The game will be the first of 15 played in the state of Tennessee to begin the season.
The first four games will be at home at Nat Buring Stadium on the South campus.
The next set of games are scheduled as part of the Service Academies Classic in Millington, Tenn.
The Tigers will then travel east to face Middle Tennessee State in Murfreesboro, Tenn., before returning home for a six-game homestand.
Dave Anderson returns to lead his alma mater after managing professionally in the Detroit Tiger organization the past five years.
Anderson is enthusiastic about making the transition to NCAA baseball.
"One of the best parts of managing in college is the opportunity to set a foundation with the kind of players you want on your team," Anderson said.
Unlike professional baseball, in which Anderson dealt with players drafted by others, he will have the final say in who will play ball for the Memphis Tigers.
He will be managing players recruited by his predecessor for a couple of years.
"One of our strengths is that we have a very good recruiting class from last year," he said.
Anderson mentioned other strengths of this year's squad pertaining to his inherited players.
"We have leadership in key roles, and I think we'll hit the ball well," he said.
After ending last season with a record of 15-37 and an 8-18 showing in Conference-USA, Anderson and the team hope to improve this season.
The Tigers will not be moving to Tim McCarver this season and all of the home games will be played at Nat Buring Stadium which is located on the South Campus.
