University of Memphis Athletics
University of Memphis
Mississippi
Tiger Baseball Falls To Ole Miss 5-1
Mar 12, 2003 | Baseball
March 12, 2003
Memphis, Tenn. - Ole Miss built an early lead and held on to defeat the University of Memphis baseball team 5-1 Wednesday at AutoZone Park in downtown Memphis. The Rebels (10-6) scored a single run in each of the first three innings and a pair of Ole Miss pitchers limited the Tigers (4-8) to just four hits.
"We hit the ball hard tonight, we just could not get anything to fall in for us," Memphis head coach Dave Anderson said. "We hung around and were never out of the game. Michael Novarese did an outstanding job for us out of the bullpen as did Brandon Rowan. We just could not put anything together offensively."
Centerfielder Seth Smith gave the visitors a 1-0 lead in the top of the first as he hit a two-out solo homer to left field. Designated hitter Drew Rogers extended the lead to 2-0 with another solo home run in the second inning for the Rebels. Both home runs came off Memphis starter Bill Edwards who went two innings allowing the two runs on three hits.
The Rebels added their third run of the game in the top of the third when second baseman Matt Tolbert scored on a sacrifice fly by shortstop Chad Sterbens. Neither team could muster any offense until the sixth inning.
Sophomore Michael Novarese entered the game in the sixth for the Tigers after reliever Brandon Rowan loaded the bases with no one out. Novarese pitched out of the jam to give the home team its first wave of momentum. Novarese allowed just one hit in three innings of work while Rowan allowed one earned run in a trio of innings.
Memphis put its first serious offensive threat together in the sixth inning when first baseman Kyle Sledd and leftfielder Chad House led off the inning with back-to-back singles. Sledd scored on a throwing error by Sterbens who tried to pick House off at first after Michael Lewis flew out to right field.
That would be the only run the Tigers would score as Sterbens made up for his error by robbing Bill Moss of an RBI after diving to catch his line drive up the middle. Redshirt freshman Anthony Cupps picked up his first collegiate win after allowing just four hits and one run in six innings of work.
Rebel reliever Brae Wright retired the Tigers in order in the seventh, eighth and ninth inning to record the save. Ole Miss added a pair of insurance runs in the ninth on a two-out, two-run single by Sterbens.
Memphis will open its C-USA season Friday at AutoZone Park when they host the Louisville Cardinals for a three-game set. First pitch for Friday night's contest is set for 7 p.m. Saturday's game is scheduled for 2 p.m. and Sunday's game is slated for 1 p.m.
