The University of Memphis baseball team returns to FedExPark for the first time this season when it opens a three-game series against SIU-Edwardsville Friday.
Memphis (1-2), which is coming off five consecutive 30-win seasons, was scheduled to play two mid-week games against nationally ranked SEC opponent Mississippi State and Belmont University for its original home opener. However, both games were postponed due to inclement weather.
The Tigers dropped two of their first three games this season against the University of Tennessee Volunteers in Chattanooga last weekend. There next opponent, SIU-Edwardsville (0-3), was swept by No. 2 Louisville in its opening series by a combined score of 43-5.
Memphis baseball coach Daron Schoenrock, who is now in his 12th season, can take some positives from Memphis’ opening weekend series against the Vols. The Tigers recorded a .269 batting average and scored 19 runs, more than six per game.
American Athletic Conference Preseason Player of the Year Darien Tubbs continued to build off his breakout season last weekend. The sophomore center fielder hit .465, two RBIs and scored four runs versus Tennessee.
In addition, Tigers’ junior outfielder Chris Carrier hit .333 and was tied for second in RBIs with two in the series against the Vols.
The Tigers will hope to get more out of their starting pitching this weekend. Colton Hathcock, Connor Alexander and Matt Ferguson remain Memphis’ scheduled weekend starters for the second consecutive week. The trio gave up nine earned runs against the Vols.
SIU-Edwardsville and Memphis have previously met six times in the past, all of which were played at FedExPark or Millington. The series is tied 3-3 all-time.
It will be important for the Tigers to take advantage of home field this weekend as their next six games are all on the road. It’s part of an opening stretch that sees Memphis play nine of its first 12 games away from FedExPark.
First pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m. Friday at FedExPark. The series continues 2 p.m Saturday and concludes 1 p.m. Sunday.
Junior outfielder Chris Carrier will hope to lead a youthful Tigers’ baseball squad to success this season. Carrier batted .333 against the Tennessee Volunteers last weekend.
