Memphis to Feature Young Pitching Staff in 2016

There's nothing quite like Opening Day. It's the start of a new season and whether a veteran or a newcomer, there will likely be some jitters. For the Memphis baseball squad, which will rely on a young pitching staff in 2016, Opening Day and beyond will be about managing emotions and not allowing any moment to be too big.

Memphis has a highly anticipated opening weekend, facing off with the University of Tennessee in a weekend series in Chattanooga, Feb. 19-21. The Tigers and Volunteers haven't met on the baseball diamond since 2012 and haven't played a three-game series since the 1981 season.

A new season also means a fresh start at trying to get back to the NCAA Tournament. This year the team hopes their young pitching staff will help them reach that goal.

"This game puts a lot of expected pressure on the pitching position but these guys were recruited to come in and do this," Memphis head coach Daron Schoenrock said. "I think the key with us is can we get the game to the seventh or eighth with the game in good shape. If we can keep the game under control I think we'll be potent in the bullpen."

The Tigers' pitching staff will be headlined by a pair of sophomore starters, Connor Alexander and Colton Hathcock. Division I starting pitching experience is limited beyond Alexander and Hathcock, with eight freshmen pitchers, two other sophomores, three juniors and two seniors.

One of those rookies, Alex Hicks, a right-handed pitcher from Collierville High School, is expected to play a big role.

Hicks is familiar with pitching in high pressure situations, as he helped Collierville to a state championship in 2013. He then went on to earn All-State honors in both 2014 and 2015.

"I think he will handle the ups and downs," said Schoenrock. "Alex has a very calm demeanor when he needs to be calm. When he gets on the field, he gets very locked in. He has pitching maturity and he doesn't try to overdue things."

Alexander knows all about being relied on as a first-year player. The Bartlett native and Tipton-Rosemark Academy product, started 12 games last season and compiled a 4.03 ERA with a 4-3 record in 76 innings pitched. He logged the second-most innings pitched on the team and struck out 56 batters with only 16 walks.

"We have a lot younger pitching staff this year," Alexander said. "They are a really skilled class though and I think this young pitching staff will step up and help us. There's nothing like going out there for the first time but once they get those jitters out of the way they'll be good. They have to control what they can control and not let the game get too big for them."

The team has six returning seniors that this young group of Tigers can look to for leadership. Outfielder Jake Little and infielder Jake Overbey are expected to play big roles in the field, while pitchers Matt Ferguson and Trey McNickle hope to make an impact on the mound in their final season.

The two senior catchers, Corey Chafin and Damo DeMatteo, will have a very unique role with the youthful pitching staff. Chafin and DeMatteo, along with junior transfer Dylan Vuncannon and freshman Jason Santana, are tasked with working closely with the pitchers and helping guide them in their development.

"These freshmen pitchers are very talented," Chafin said. "On thing that stands out is that they are all confident. Their confidence levels are high, which will help them as freshmen. I'm looking forward to my role this season, leading the team."

The team is approaching this season as never before. Both the players and coaches have branded themselves as "#103". This is the 103^rd team to play baseball for the University of Memphis, and Schoenrock wants to drive home the significance of recognizing those that came before them.

"We're a blip on the radar in the big scheme of the history of this program," Schoenrock said. "You're not just in a four-year cycle of playing at Memphis. You're playing for the guys 103 years ago. Referring to this team, when you hear the number 103, you realize we're one of many. It's something bigger than ourselves—It's something bigger than this individual team."

Two players that set #103 apart from some that came before them are a pair of returning juniors, outfielder Darien Tubbs and closer Nolan Blackwood.

Tubbs, a Cookeville, Tenn. product, enters the season as the Preseason Player of the Year in the American Athletic Conference. He is coming off of a stellar year, where he started all 58 games in center field, and in the lead-off spot. He led the team with a .321 batting average, 75 hits and 57 runs scored last season while also mashing nine doubles, five triples and seven home runs.

Blackwood, from Southaven, Miss, is a Louisville Slugger Preseason second team All-American. He set the program record for saves in a single season with 14 last year and finished with a microscopic 0.52 earned run average. He was named an NCBWA second team All-American in 2015, becoming only the second Memphis pitcher to earn All-America honors. He stands third all-time in program history with 17 career saves.

Schoenrock and his coaching staff will learn a lot about their team early on, as Memphis will face several tough tests in the opening weeks of the season. The Tigers' first four games are against SEC opponents, all on the road, and the team will play 10 of their first 14 games away from home. There won't be any let-up either, as the American Athletic Conference promises to be one of the toughest leagues in the nation again, after sending four teams to the NCAA Tournament last year.

The Tigers' will return to FedExPark on Feb. 24 to face Belmont in the home opener. The first weekend series at FedExPark, against SIU-Edwardsville, gets underway Friday, Feb. 26 at 4 p.m. and the series continues Saturday with a 2 p.m. start before concluding Sunday at 1 p.m.

Fans can purchase tickets for the opening weekend against Tennessee at AT&T Field in Chattanooga directly from the Chattanooga Lookouts by calling 423-267-4849 or clicking here.

Season tickets are on also on sale through GoTigersGo.com or by calling 901-678-2331.

University of Memphis Athletics

Related News

Players Mentioned

Connor Alexander

Nolan Blackwood

Corey Chafin

Damo DeMatteo

Matt Ferguson

Colton Hathcock

Alex Hicks

Jake Little

Trey McNickle

Jake Overbey

Jason Santana

Darien Tubbs

Dylan Vuncannon

Related Videos