The University of Memphis baseball team gave fans a taste of things to come this week when they hosted their annual Blue and Gray scrimmage.
The five-game series began Monday has featured a burst of offense from both teams.
"I think the teams have been pretty easy and it is a lot of fun for me to be able to split up the roster," said U of M head coach Daron Schoenrock. "The games have been close and we get to see everything we put into practice so far."
The Tigers so far have completed three games in the five-game Garibaldi's series with the Gray team taking two out of three.
The Blue team edged out the Gray in their first meeting 11-9 off of a solid offensive performances from junior infielder Adam Amar.
The Gray team answered in the next two games, beating the Blues in large part due to clutch hitting from junior infielder Bill Moss and freshman outfielder Trey Wiedman.
Although the Blue and Gray squads are averaging around eight runs a game, it is the defense that has impressed Schoenrock the most.
"We have played good defense," Schoenrock said. "We have a lot more depth at every position this year and a bigger roster."
While Schoenrock hopes new additions will add depth this season, he also hopes it will challenge returning veterans to step up this year.
"I've seen returning players step up their game so far because there is someone standing right next to them competing for the position," Schoenrock said.
Competition and depth at every position can only make the team better, said senior catcher and junior college transfer Cory Barton.
"We can see that we are a lot more athletic and more competitive," he said. "Last year we didn't have as much depth and it makes you play better to battle for your position."
The Tigers will continue the Blue and Gray series at 2:30 p.m. at Nat Buring Stadium today before hosting their finale Saturday at 2:15 p.m. at the new First Tennessee Fields in Cordova.
The Saturday afternoon game will get underway after a youth tournament, and Schoenrock said he hopes the game will be a way for The U of M to showcase the team.
"It is neat that our guys get to do a little public relations work for us," he said. "It helps us in the community and puts our team in front of some fans."
The Tigers will display some of the new talent to fans Saturday in a preseason autograph session.
"We want people to come out," said senior outfielder and pitcher Josh Irvine. "The more people who come out, the more fun it is."
Getting more people to come to games, especially younger fans, is a big part in building a successful program, the second-year head coach said.
"I hope that after this game we might have a few fathers bring their sons out to a game this season," he said. "It is really important to our program."
The Tigers finished last season with a 13-42 record and a 5-25 record in Conference USA play.
