The University of Memphis baseball team improved to 2-2 on the young season and coach Daron Schoenrock secured his 300th career win with a 5-2 victory on the road at Central Arkansas on Sunday.
The Tigers were out-hit 9-5 for the game, but rode a monster four-run inning in the fifth with RBIs from freshman Brandon Montgomery and senior Carter White on the way to the victory.
“We have the capability of putting together a big inning, every inning,” Schoenrock said. “The amazing thing was both teams made the routine play with minimal errors considering the weather conditions.”
The two teams committed just one error each in the winter weather. Memphis was originally scheduled to play another contest against Eastern Illinois after the Central Arkansas win, but the game was called off due to weather.
Senior infielder Kane Barrow led Memphis offensively, going 3-for-5 at the plate and scoring one run. Right fielder Chris Carrier draw three walks in four appearances at the plate, and was credited with one RBI.
Caleb Wallingford pitched five innings for the Tigers in the start, yielding six hits, one earned run and walking two batters while striking out three.
Despite picking up the victory Memphis struggled in the batter’s box, totaling only five hits in the game, with Barrow responsible for three of them.
“We were a little off at the plate,” Schoenrock said of his team’s hitting performance. “I feel like this is going to be a really good offensive club. Winning 300 games has a lot to do with longevity and the players involved. I’m proud of our guys and the resiliency they had today.”
Instead of manufacturing hits of their own the Tigers were able to take advantage of Central Arkansas miscues, with multiple scores assisted by walks, wild pitches and having batters hit by pitches. Central Arkansas starting pitcher Connor Gilmore allowed five runs and five walks in 4 1/3 innings on the mound.
For Central Arkansas, the loss to Memphis is the first of the year after a hot start to the season. The Bears racked up victories against Grambling State, The University of Louisiana-Monroe and Indiana State before falling to the Tigers on Sunday.
The Tigers opened the season by dropping two games to Oral Roberts in Tulsa before rebounding with a 6-1 win in the third and final match of the road series.
Memphis will return home to play eight of their next nine contests at FedExPark, starting Wednesday afternoon against Mississippi Valley State. First pitch between Memphis and MVSU is set for 4 p.m. Wednesday.
