The only thing that seems to be able to interrupt the Memphis Tigers’ baseball team’s two game-winning streak is the weather.
However, Saturday is when the inclement weather streak will hopefully end for the Tigers’ (2-2), as they will play host to the Saint Louis Billikens (3-4) in a double-header on Saturday.
Memphis is 2-2 after dropping their first two games of the season in their opening series against Oral Roberts, but rebounded to defeat Oral Roberts 6-1 on Feb. 14, the second game of a doubleheader that day.
The Tigers then beat Central Arkansas 5-2 on Feb. 22, in which coach Daron Schoenrock picked up his 300th win of his career.
Coach Schoenrock said his defense has done a good job this season, considering the offense has been lacking.
“I thought our defense has kept us in the games,” Schoenrock said. “They’ve given us a chance for one big at bat (to win the game). We’ve attacked the game pretty good considering we haven’t been on a field all that much before we went to Oral Roberts. I think offensively we’ll develop some more continuity. The team hasn't shown the offensive team it can be yet, because we haven’t had enough time on the field consistently.”
He said keeping everybody sharp during this period where they haven’t many games due to the inclement weather is important.
“(Just) trying to keep the guys in game ready mode,” Schoenrock said. “Trying to keep the pitching staff sharp, and our bullpen. You can do a lot of swinging. It’s just keeping that live component ingredient when facing pitching. It’s a timing thing. So you try to keep as much timing as you can, and ideally you play a couple of midweek games and your hitters stay sharp but we haven’t had that. We just have to do the best we can.”
Schoenrock said Saint Louis’ experience will give the Tigers a tough challenge as they are returning seven starters from a team that finished 34-21 last season, and they’ll have to limit Saint Louis first basemen Mike Vilgalario.
Vilgalario was named First-Team All Atlantic-10 for his performance last season. He batted .328 and had seven home runs and 37 RBIs last season. He played a key role in the Billikens’ series win against the Tigers last season, with Saint Louis winning two out of three.
Coach Schoenrock is right in the fact that the Tigers’ offense is off to a slow start, however. The Tigers are only batting .226 this season, which is over 40 points lower than their .269 average last season.
Redshirt junior infielder Jake Overbey has led the Tigers in hitting percentage so far batting .357. He’s connected five times in 14 at bats.
Another strong hitter in the early part of the season is sophomore outfielder Darien Tubbs. He’s hitting .313 so far this season and has two RBI.
Tubbs said he’s just doing what he can to help lead the team to victories.
“I’m just locked in,” Tubbs said. “Trying to get a couple of wins for the team. Do what I can as a leadoff hitter, and do what I can to help us win games.”
Senior pitcher Caleb Wallingford said he is happy to finally be playing at home this season after the heavy road stretch to open the season.
“I always like playing home games,” Wallingford said. “The road is a different challenge though and for our team. But it’s good for us to get those challenges early in the year so what we know what to work on and what our strengths are.”
Wallingford, who is starting the second game of the double-header Saturday said it’s important that the pitching staff plays well, so the offense doesn't have to climb out of a hole.
“We need to get the games off to a good start,” Wallingford said. “We don't want the offense to trying to dig from a hole. You don't want to spot a team extra runs at the beginning of the game.”
Memphis and Saint Louis will clash on Saturday at noon and 3 p.m. at FedExPark.
