Memphis Drops Opener 8-4

Friday, February 19

Chattanooga, Tenn.

4:00 PM

University of Memphis

0-1

Tennessee

1-0

Memphis

Tennessee

Feb 19, 2016 | Baseball

Box Score

Darien Tubbs went 3-for-4 with two runs scored in the loss

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – Memphis allowed six Tennessee runs over the first two innings and was unable to rally as the Tigers fell 8-4 on Opening Day at AT&T Field, the home of the Minnesota Twins Double-A Affiliate Chattanooga Lookouts.

Junior outfielder and American Athletic Conference Preseason Player of the Year Darien Tubbs had an outstanding season debut, going 3-for-4 with a double, a walk and two runs scored.

Tennessee took a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning when Chris Carrier dropped a pop up in left field with two outs. The wind was swirling in the ballpark in the early innings and appeared to play a factor on the ball, which was put into play by first baseman Jordan Rodgers. Second baseman Jeff Moberg and left fielder Vincent Jackson had both walked earlier in the inning and both scored on the play.

The Volunteers added to their lead with four more runs in the bottom of the second after three hits, two walks and an error.

Memphis got on the board in the third inning after Tubbs led off the frame with a double in the gap in left-center field. He moved to third on a groundout and scored on an infield single by Carrier.

Tigers starting pitcher Colton Hathcock appeared to settle down in the bottom of the third inning, as he struck out a pair in a perfect frame. The sophomore struck out two more batters in the fourth inning to keep Tennessee off the board for a second straight inning. He finished with five strikeouts in four innings of work.

Freshman Alex Hicks made his Memphis debut with a scoreless bottom of the fifth inning. He received some help from his left fielder as Carrier gunned down a runner at the plate to end the inning. The Volunteers got to Hicks in the next inning though, scoring two runs on three hits and an error.

Hicks finished the game, tossing scoreless seventh and eighth innings. He allowed two runs (one earned) on five hits with two strikeouts in four innings.

Memphis was able to get two runs back in the top of the seventh. Pinch-hitter Andy Bowman worked a walk before Tubbs and Zach Schritenthal each singled to load the bases with one out in the top of the seventh. Carrier brought home the Tigers' second run with a sacrifice fly to center field. Corey Chafin drove in Tubbs with an infield single.

Brandon Grudzielanek led off the eighth inning with a towering home run to left field to trim the Tennessee lead to 8-4. The blast was his first hit as a Memphis Tiger.

The Tigers and Volunteers will meet in the second game of the series Saturday at noon (CT) with sophomore Connor Alexander expected to start for Memphis against Kyle Serrano of Tennessee.