University of Memphis Athletics
University of Memphis
Arkansas St.
Tiger Baseball Topped by Arkansas State, 8-4
Apr 01, 2003 | Baseball
April 1, 2003
Jonesboro, Ark.-- - Arkansas State snapped a four-game losing streak to Memphis and pounded out 14 hits as the Indians defeated the Tigers 8-4 Tuesday at Tomlinson Stadium. The Tigers (7-19, 1-8 C-USA) remained winless on the road despite getting 11 hits as their losing streak was extended to five. The Indians (14-13, 5-1 Sun Belt) scored in six of the eight innings they came to plate and never relinquished the lead.
The Tigers fell behind 1-0 in the first inning after leaving the bases loaded in their half of the first. ASU leadoff hitter Brad Hayes was hit by a Jarrett Grube pitch. The Indian's third baseman then advanced to third on a fielding error by Tiger third baseman Kyle Scott. Grube left the game for precautionary reasons after being injured following an unsuccessful rundown and was replaced by junior Zach Cook. Shortstop Matt Rogelstad then bunted the first pitch right back to Cook, who fired the ball quickly to first for the first out of the inning, but Hayes was able to score from third on the play.
ASU extended its lead to 3-0 in the second inning on three hits and a Tiger error. Second baseman George Sterner led off the frame with a triple and then scored on a single by Neal Chambers. Josh Allison followed with a bunt single and a throwing error by catcher Kurt Welch allowed Chambers to score from second who advanced there after Cook was called for a balk.
Tiger DH Ryan Martin laced a double through a stiff wind in Jonesboro to lead off the fourth inning and scored the Tiger's first run on a RBI single off the bat of shortstop Brent Dlugach. A double by Kyle Sledd moved Dlugach to third with one out, but Memphis was unable to push any more runs across in the inning.
The Indians plated two more runs in the home half of the fourth to take a 5-1 lead on a RBI double by Rogelstad and a RBI single by DH Monte Douglas. ASU added a run in the fifth when Chambers led off the inning with a double, moved to third on a fielder's choice and scored on a sacrifice fly off the bat of Hayes.
Memphis got within three, by scoring a pair of runs in the sixth inning. Dlugach led off with a walk and scored on a RBI single by Scott. The Tiger's third baseman then advanced to second on the throw to the plate. ASU catcher Zach Shipley then airmailed the second baseman and Scott raced all the way around from second to score on the play.
ASU kept the offensive pressure on, scoring single runs in the sixth and seventh innings to extend the lead to 8-3. Rogelstad scored on a fielder's choice in the sixth and Chambers scored in the seventh after a fielding error by Sledd at first base.
The Tigers tried to mount a late rally in the ninth as they scored a run on a RBI double-play groundout by Kevin House, but that would be all they would muster in the final frame. Grube (0-3) picked up the loss as he was charged with the unearned run in the first. Kevin Cutler picked up the win for the Indians striking out six Tigers in 5.2 innings of work. Ryan Hamilton got his first save of the season for ASU giving up two hits and one earned run in 3.1 innings of work.
The Tigers will return to action Wednesday night with a home contest against UT-Martin at Nat Buring Stadium. First pitch is set for 7 p.m.
