The University of Memphis baseball team has started out on the right feet, specifically those of Blake Richardson and Stephen Gostkowski.
Off to a 4-1 start in this young season, the Tigers have shown promise under first year head coach Daron Schoenrock, even in one area coaches can't help: chemistry.
When pitching gave up four first inning runs against the Missouri Tigers, the offense - led by Ryan Martin - picked the team up and scored a combined five runs in the first two innings.
Martin went 3 for 4 with three runs, two RBIs, a double and one home run to lead the Tigers.
Wednesday, against UT Martin, the offense couldn't manufacture anything early, going scoreless in the first four innings. Blake Richardson, Tigers starter, paralyzed the Skyhawks, pitching six scoreless innings and giving up only two hits. Tim Senter and Chris Davis had scoreless relief efforts giving up the last of UT Martin's three hits.
"You can't coach that," said Schoenrock. "I tell our guys that one (side) has to step up."
Pitcher Stephen Gostkowski understands the symbiotic relationship between offense and pitching.
"That's our goal this year," he said. "If they score seven, we score eight. If they score one we score two.
"We don't have the most talented team, but we have a lot of fight."Under a first year head coach and the beginning of a new season, one would expect growing pains, but chemistry seems to be at midseason levels.
"Everybody seems to be meshing well," said Gostkowski, who gives credit to his new skipper.
"He plays the best nine and he doesn't play favorites," he said.Another factor that may help the Tigers mature is their early season schedule.
"It definitely helps a lot with the new coach, getting used to things, a lot of the new players and getting used to playing together before we go out on the road," said Gostkowski.
Conference USA hitter of the week Ryan Martin says there's nothing like home.
"I get a little more excited playing at home since we have the home crowd there," he said.
The Tigers certainly have much to be excited about with their start, but Schoenrock says there are still areas to improve on.
The early trouble zones are baserunning and strike zone discipline.
However time may be the best medicine.
"That (baserunning) I think will get better when we play more games," he said.
To the casual fan, 29 runs in four games seems like acceptable output, but with two key hitters out with injuries, Bill Moss and Chad House, the runs could be coming in bunches.
"When we get guys healthy, we can put together a pretty good lineup," Schoenrock said.
The batting order isn't the only area that will get a boost as bodies heal.
Nick Bradshaw and Brandon Rowan are nursing injures and when healthy can give the pitching rotation depth and talent.
Overall, Schoenrock likes what he sees on the diamond.
"I like the way our guys have battled."
