University of Memphis Athletics
University of Memphis
Murray St
Tigers Tame Thoroughbreds 8-7 In Extra Innings
Apr 18, 2000 | Baseball
April 18, 2000
Memphis, Tn - After getting three runs in the bottom of the eleventh inning, the University of Memphis Tiger baseball team (15-23, 8-6) defeated the Thoroughbreds of Murray State (16-18)on Tuesday night, by a score of 8-7. The Tigers actually led the entire game until the top of the eighth when the Thoroughbreds attempted a rally and managed to tie the game after nine. Both teams would score runs in the eleventh, however Memphis' would prove fatal for Murray State, as the Tigers have now chalked up their third win-in-a-row.
Junior pitcher Layne Dawson (1-1) got the start and gave a tremoundous effort, going seven full before giving up only four runs (three earned) on four hits while fanning a career-high eight batters, in the win.
The Tigers would grab three runs in the first, after senior first baseman Nate Sams ripped a three-run bomb over the left field wall (eighth of year), scoring redshirt-sophomore center-fielder Randall Tatum (Kirby H.S.) and senior shortstop Stephen Frix (White Station H.S.), giving Memphis a 3-0 lead after one. The Thoroughbreds answered back with two runs of their own in the third and trailed 3-2. Memphis however would increase the gap, after sophomore second baseman Daniel Uggla jacked a two-run shot over the wall in left (fourth of year), driving in junior third baseman Tyler Shelton and the Tigers had jumped ahead early, 5-2 after four.
In one stretch, Dawson had actually retired 11-in-a-row at one point, from the middle of the fourth until the middle of the seventh.
Dawson however would run out of gas in the eighth after hitting the first two batters and forcing junior pitcher Jonathan Leicester to come in for relief duty. Leicester would allow two key runs to flow in before escaping the eighth with a one run lead, 5-4. Murray State grabbed one more run in the ninth to tie the game at 5 which would put Memphis on the ropes entering the bottom of the inning. The Tigers couldn't get the go-ahead run in the ninth and would send the game into extra innings. In the top of the eleventh, the Thoroughbreds got back-to-back doubles with runners-on to take a 7-5 advantage into the bottom of the inning. Memphis would make a comeback in the eleventh, as Uggla hit a sacrifice-fly to shallow right which scored junior left-fielder Tony Lomeli and the Tigers trailed, 7-6. Then with two outs, junior shortstop Gabe Interiano scored from second on a failed pick-off attempt and then crossed home plate on a wild relay throw and the game was tied at 7. Freshman pinch-runner James Rouse would score the biggest run of his Tiger career, as of yet, when he scored all the way from first after sophomore center-fielder Paul Reuer hit a bloop-single to shallow center, and Memphis would take this one, 8-7 in eleven innings. Uggla led Memphis at the plate, with a 2-for-4 effort including a two-run homer and a single and also grabbed two RBI. Sams wasn't far behind, going 2-for-5 with a three-run homer and a single while getting three RBI, as well.
Leicester went two innings while giving up one earned run on two hits while walking three. Senior closer Sean Carlson (2-2) also went for two innings of work and gave up two earned on four hits while fanning one in his second win of the year.
The loss was charged to Jason Glosser (3-2) of Murray State, after he went for three-and-two-thirds innings and allowed threes across the board while facing 17 Memphis batters.
Coach Jeff Hopkins after the win said, "You know it's a funny game, sometimes you need 27 outs and tonight we needed 33, they (Murray State) were one out short. I'm proud of our guys."
The Tigers now travel to Jonesboro, Arkansas to tangle with the Indians of Arkansas State tomorrow, Wednesday April 19th. The first pitch is slated for 7 p.m. Memphis will be looking to avenge an April 4th loss when they fell to ASU at home, 4-2.
