Memphis Falls in Series Finale

Sunday, February 21

Chattanooga, Tenn.

12:00 PM

University of Memphis

1-2

Tennessee

2-1

Memphis

Tennessee

Photo by: Hayley Pennesi

Feb 21, 2016 | Baseball

Box Score

Errors costly as Memphis drops opening series to Tennessee

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – Errors proved costly as Memphis allowed three unearned runs and lost 5-2 in the series finale with Tennessee on Sunday at AT&T Field, the home of the Minnesota Twins' Double-A affiliate Chattanooga Lookouts. The Tigers dropped the series, two games to one, and will look to bounce back Tuesday at Mississippi State at 4 p.m.

The Tigers did some manufacturing offensively to give themselves an early 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning. Third baseman Zach Schritenthal and left fielder Chris Carrier each singled with one out to get things started. Schritenthal tagged up and advanced to third on a fly out to right field by first baseman Corey Chafin. The run came home on a double steal by the Tigers.

Tennessee took the lead in the bottom of the second with a little help from the Memphis defense. After a lead-off single by left fielder Vincent Jackson, an error put runners at second and third with nobody out.

Catcher Tyler Schultz then legged out an infield single to drive in the tying run from third and a passed ball on a strikeout of designated hitter Daniel Neal allowed the go-ahead run to come home.

Tennessee took advantage of a two-out walk to extend the lead over Memphis in the bottom of the third inning. With third baseman Nick Senzel on base after the walk, left fielder Vincent Jackson hammered a home run to right field to make the score 4-1.

Memphis got a run back in the fifth. Right fielder Jake Little started the fifth inning by being hit by a pitch from reliever Hunter Martin. He then stole second base before pinch hitter Andy Bowman worked a walk to put two runners on with nobody out. They both advanced after a passed ball. Shortstop Jake Overbey attempted to get a run in with a squeeze bunt but the pitcher was able to throw out Little at the plate for the first out of the inning.

The Tigers did score a run though, as freshman catcher Jason Santana drove in Bowman with an RBI groundout.

Matt Ferguson's day was ended after five innings on the mound. He had a solid season debut, tossing five innings and allowing two earned runs (four total) with four strikeouts.

Drew Crosby came out of the bullpen and tossed a perfect sixth inning, including a strikeout. The sophomore worked around a single in a scoreless seventh inning with another strikeout.

Memphis had a great opportunity to get runs back in the eighth but came up empty. Overbey led off the inning with an infield single but was doubled off when Santana smashed a ball that was caught at third base and fired back across the diamond for a double play. Darien Tubbs followed with a double into the gap in left-center that would have likely tied the game if not for Santana's liner being caught.

Tennessee added to its lead on some shaky Memphis defense in the eighth inning. The Volunteers got back-to-back infield singles to start the bottom of the eight, and while neither play was called an error, both plays were makeable by the Tiger defenders. With two outs in the inning, a run came home on an error at third base, the second of the day on Schritenthal.

Memphis will have its home opener against Belmont Wednesday at 4 p.m. and will host SIU-Edwardsville for the Tigers' first home weekend series, Feb. 26-28.