University of Memphis Athletics
Baseball Practice Begins for 2018 Tigers
Jan 26, 2018 | Baseball
Balanced club begins preparations for the 2018 season
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Daron Schoenrock could not have asked for better baseball weather on Friday, as his University of Memphis baseball team stepped onto the field together for the first time in 2018. The Tigers gathered at FedExPark for the first team practice of the 2018 season, which gets underway at home in three weeks on Feb. 16 against Western Kentucky.
"This club is probably more balanced," Schoenrock said. "I think we are going to have the ability to score runs when we need to and with our pitching depth, we have more options and more available bodies than we've ever had. Fitting those guys into roles will be a big key as we go through the season."
Led by five seniors, including Preseason All-Conference selection Tyler Webb, Memphis will look to build on last season's 30-win campaign. The Tigers will play a total of 31 home games, including three at AutoZone Park. This season also marks the Fifth Annual W.S. "Babe" Howard Classic at USA Stadium in Millington, Tenn.
Webb, a senior outfielder, batted .305 with 65 hits, 16 doubles and 43 runs scored last season. The Prosper, Texas native, started 52 games, including 50 games as the Tigers' center fielder and batted leadoff in 29 games.
Shortstop Alec Trela burst onto the scene in a big way as a freshman last year, pounding a team-high 20 doubles and batting .263. He finished with 38 runs scored and 34 runs batted in.
Schoenrock enters his 14th season leading the Tigers program and will have one of his most talented pitching staffs to date. The headliner is junior right-hander Jonathan Bowlan, who led Memphis with 84 innings pitched, 78 strikeouts and a 3.75 earned run average.
Newcomer Riley Cabral, who was selected by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the 13th round of the 2017 MLB Draft, will make his Tigers debut after helping Chipola College to the JuCo World Series in 2017. Cabral posted an 11-1 record in 74.1 innings with 100 strikeouts and a 3.27 ERA.
Blake Bennett, returning for his redshirt junior season, is the Tigers bullpen ace. He led Memphis with 29 appearances last season. He compiled a 3.79 ERA with 31 strikeouts.
The American Athletic Conference will only get stronger this season with the addition of seven-time College World Series participants Wichita State to the league. The league has sent three teams to the NCAA Tournament in each of the last two seasons after sending four teams in 2015. The season will yet again culminate with The American Championship at Spectrum Field in Clearwater, Fla.
"This club is probably more balanced," Schoenrock said. "I think we are going to have the ability to score runs when we need to and with our pitching depth, we have more options and more available bodies than we've ever had. Fitting those guys into roles will be a big key as we go through the season."
Led by five seniors, including Preseason All-Conference selection Tyler Webb, Memphis will look to build on last season's 30-win campaign. The Tigers will play a total of 31 home games, including three at AutoZone Park. This season also marks the Fifth Annual W.S. "Babe" Howard Classic at USA Stadium in Millington, Tenn.
Webb, a senior outfielder, batted .305 with 65 hits, 16 doubles and 43 runs scored last season. The Prosper, Texas native, started 52 games, including 50 games as the Tigers' center fielder and batted leadoff in 29 games.
Shortstop Alec Trela burst onto the scene in a big way as a freshman last year, pounding a team-high 20 doubles and batting .263. He finished with 38 runs scored and 34 runs batted in.
Schoenrock enters his 14th season leading the Tigers program and will have one of his most talented pitching staffs to date. The headliner is junior right-hander Jonathan Bowlan, who led Memphis with 84 innings pitched, 78 strikeouts and a 3.75 earned run average.
Newcomer Riley Cabral, who was selected by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the 13th round of the 2017 MLB Draft, will make his Tigers debut after helping Chipola College to the JuCo World Series in 2017. Cabral posted an 11-1 record in 74.1 innings with 100 strikeouts and a 3.27 ERA.
Blake Bennett, returning for his redshirt junior season, is the Tigers bullpen ace. He led Memphis with 29 appearances last season. He compiled a 3.79 ERA with 31 strikeouts.
The American Athletic Conference will only get stronger this season with the addition of seven-time College World Series participants Wichita State to the league. The league has sent three teams to the NCAA Tournament in each of the last two seasons after sending four teams in 2015. The season will yet again culminate with The American Championship at Spectrum Field in Clearwater, Fla.
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