University of Memphis Athletics
University of Memphis
Middle Tennessee
Middle Tennessee Outlasts Tiger Baseball, 8-7
May 10, 2006 | Baseball
May 10, 2006
Memphis at MiddleTennessee2 boxscore in PDF Format
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MURFREESBORO, Tenn. -
Memphis (24-25) 101 202 010 - 7 11 0 Middle Tennessee (26-18) 100 520 00X - 8 13 1
Middle Tennessee scored seven runs in the fourth and fifth innings and then held off a Memphis rally to outlast the Tigers 8-7 in the series finale Wednesday evening at Reese Smith Field. The two teams split the season series 2-2. Memphis falls below .500 for the first time this year.
The Blue Raiders took their first lead of the game, 6-4, with a five-run fourth. MT sent 10 hitters to the plate and recorded five hits. A three-run blast to right by Marcus Taylor highlighted the frame.
The Blue Raiders got a two-run shot to left by Todd Martin in the fifth to take control of the contest, 8-4.
The Tigers rallied in the eighth inning to cut the lead to 8-7 on an RBI-single off the bat of Will Petersen. With Cory Barton on second base as the game-tying run, Bill Moss singled through the right side. Blue Raider rightfielder Taylor fielded the ball cleanly and made a perfect throw to the plate just ahead of a sliding Barton to end the Memphis threat.
Memphis wasted little time plating its first run of the night. Centerfielder K.K. Chalmers led off the game with a single. He advanced to second on a wild pitch and scored on Bill Moss' ground out to shortstop.
Middle tied the tilt at 1-1 in the bottom of the first on a single by Todd Martin.
The Tigers took a 2-1 lead in the third when Barton scored on a bases loaded wild pitch from Blue Raider starter Jeff Kasser.
Memphis went up 4-1 with a pair of tallies in the top of the fourth. Josh Irvin reached on a single through the right side, and scored all the way from first on a double by Michael Murray. Murray moved to third on a single by Barton and scored on a wild pitch.
The Tigers cut into the Middle Tennessee lead with two in the sixth on a one-out blast by Barton. Chalmers followed with his 10th career triple, and scored on a groundball out by Will Petersen to make it 8-6. Chalmers moved into sixth all-time on Memphis' career triples list. He also stole his 34th base of the year and 53rd of his career to move into third place on the all-time and single-season stolen base list.
MT starter Jeff Kasser picked up the win after scattering five hits and fanning three in five innings of work. Closer Allan Woodward worked a scoreless ninth to earn his fourth save of the season.
Memphis starter Josh Langley took the loss. The senior righthander gave up six runs in 3.1 innings. The Tiger bullpen was effective as Dusty Davis and Matt Yokley held the potent Middle Tennessee offense scoreless over the final three innings.
The Blue Raiders again outhit the Tigers, 13-11. Barton led the U of M offense with a 2-for-3 night, two runs scored and an RBI. Chalmers and Adam Amar also had two hits.
Memphis will now try to rebound this weekend in a Conference USA series at UCF. The Tigers and Golden Knights will matchup on Friday and Saturday at 6:30 p.m. EST. Sunday's series finale is set for Noon.
