In yet another close game, the University of Memphis Tigersbaseball team came from behind to beat the Middle Tennessee StateUniversity Blue Raiders 5-4 in the first game of a double-header atNat Burning Stadium.
Rain on Tuesday prevented play against MTSU, but the Tigers wereready for the Raiders Wednesday.
Although the two games were shortened to seven innings, it tookeight for game one to conclude in a Tiger victory.
"It was a good win for us," Memphis head coach Dave Andersonsaid.
The Tigers (7-15) were four runs down going into the bottom ofthe third inning, when sophomore outfielder Jordan Hart hit a solohomerun to begin the Tigers' scoring.
The next batter, junior second baseman Michael Lewis, hit asingle to get on base. Next, junior right fielder Josh Payne wasbeaned to snag a base. It was then junior catcher Kurt Welchsmashed a home run to tie the score up at four.
"Jordan had the homerun earlier that gave us our first hit, Ithink, and I just wanted to add to it," Welch said.
The next three and a half innings were scoreless, until Welchwas up to bat again in the eighth, when he singled and sophomoredesignated hitter Ryan Martin doubled. The Blue Raiders (10-12)intentionally walked the next batter, junior third baseman KyleScott, to load the bases for sophomore shortstop Brent Dlugach.
Dlugach stepped up to the plate and hit a deep fly tocenterfield off a fastball, allowing Welch to score and the Tigersto clinch the win.
"I had confidence, I guess. That's all that matters," Dlugachsaid.
Anderson was pleased with the Tigers' hitting in the game.
"We got a big hit with Welch's three run homerun to tie the gameand in the eighth inning we got a couple of really good at bats, acouple of big hits, and won the game."
Anderson was also happy with the way the Tigers pitching staffperformed.
"The key to the game was (Daniel) de Armas throwing the lastfive innings," Anderson said. "One hit, two walks and threestrikeouts, that gave us an opportunity to get back in thegame."
de Armas' efforts improved his record to 2-0 on the season.
There were three runners left on base and no outs when the gameended, which left the players confident going into the secondgame.
"In previous games, we've been getting down early and kind ofhanging our heads," Dlugach said. "This is a big win, coming backand showing that we have some heart."
In game two, the Tigers' spirit would be tested again.
The Tigers' miscues would open the door for the Middle Tennesseeto win.
Memphis dropped another nail biter, 2-1 to the Blue Raiders.
Middle Tennessee jumped out to a 2-0 lead off Tiger mistakes.The runs scored did not count against Memphis starter MichaelNovarese.
Novarese went four innings not allowing a run.
Scott gave Novarese some support cranking out his second homerun of the season in the bottom of the fifth.
The solo shot made the score 2-1.
The Blue Raiders bullpen made the narrow lead last.
Middle Tennessee relief pitcher Travis Horschel would only allowone base runner in the final inning.
Horschel got the final out and the split of the doubleheaderwith a strikeout of Kevin House.
Now the Tigers move on to play the Alabama-Birmingham Blazersthis weekend in a three game series.
