Middle Tennessee's Late-Game Rally Spoils Memphis' FedExPark Debut

Friday, February 19

Memphis, Tenn. (FedExPark)

4:00 PM

University of Memphis

0-1

Middle Tennessee

1-0

Middle Tennessee

Memphis

Middle Tennessee's Late-Game Rally Spoils Memphis' FedExPark Debut

Feb 19, 2010 | Baseball

Box Score

Feb. 19, 2010

Box Score |  Photo Gallery 

MEMPHIS, Tenn. -

Middle Tennessee (1-0)     000 000 031 - 4 7 1
Memphis (0-1)              001 100 001 - 3 9 2

Middle Tennessee 4, Memphis 3

Memphis starter Brennon Martin struck out six and held Middle Tennessee scoreless for seven innings, but the Blue Raiders rallied to score four runs in the final two frames to spoil the Tigers' 2010 season opener with a 4-3 decision at newly redesigned FedExPark on Friday evening.

"This was two very good college baseball teams going at it," said Tiger Head Coach Daron Schoenrock. "There were a couple of little things, defensively, that we didn't execute and those things will always rear their head in one-run games. I thought we pitched well. We have to continue to sort things out in the bullpen. We need to do a little bit better job of cutting down strikeouts. Obviously that's the nemesis of the team. We have to move runners. Overall, I think we are going to be ok. It was a great start of the season for Brennon Martin and I have to tip my cap to our freshman rightfielder Derrick Thomas, who had a good first game."

Martin was solid in his second Opening Day start, scattering four hits and walking two. He allowed just one Blue Raider base runner to advance past second base. He got help from his defense in the first inning. With two outs and runners on the first and second, MT third baseman lifted what looked to be a double to the right centerfield gap. However, in his first collegiate start, Tiger freshman right fielder Thomas ended the scoring threat with a diving catch.

Memphis got on the board first, in the third inning. Senior Tyler Huelsing recorded the Tigers' first hit at FedExPark with a single up the middles and Heith Hatfield followed suit with a single to right. Chad Zurcher, who was playing in his first game since taking a redshirt 16 games into the 2009 season, came through with FedExPark's first RBI, when he lined a single to left to bring Huelsing home for the first run of the 2010 season and a 1-0 U of M advantage.

Huelsing, who led the Memphis offense with a 3-for-4 night and two runs scored, connected on the Tigers' second two-out RBI in the bottom of the fourth. The Munford, Tenn., native's RBI-double scored Jacob Wilson to give Memphis the 2-0 lead.

Memphis took that two-run lead into the eighth inning only to see Middle Tennessee strike for three runs to take a 3-2 lead. Blake McDade led off the stanza with a double to leftfield off of reliever Jonathan Jones. After he advanced to third on a wild pitch and Bryce Brentz reached on a walk, Will Skinner cut the Tigers' lead in half with an RBI-single to left. Middle Tennessee catcher Drew Robertson singled through the left side to score Brentz from second to knot the contest at 2-all. A Blue Raider gamble paid off as they took a one-run lead. After reaching on a fielder's choice, MT's Stuart Meinhart got caught between first and second base. Jones made the toss to Tiger second baseman Adam McClain, who in turn chased Meinhart towards first before making the throw to first baseman Trey Wiedman. When McClain made the throw Skinner made the break for home and slid in safely just ahead of the tag.

Memphis attempted to rally in the eighth when Drew Martinez drew a lead-off walk followed by Zurcher being hit by a pitch. McClain laid down a bunt single to load the bases. Middle Tennessee hurler Nick Montgomery struck out Wiedman and Shawn Ablett swinging before Wilson grounded out to end the scoring threat. Montgomery picked up the win after striking out four in three innings. He allowed a run on two hits.

After Middle Tennessee tacked on a fourth run in the top of the ninth The Tigers again found themselves trying to rally back. Huelsing continued his productive night with his second double of the game--a lined shot to the rightfield corner. He scored on a single up the middle by Thomas.

Jones was tagged with the loss after allowing three runs on three hits in an inning of relief.

Blue Raiders reliever Kevin Whittaker earned the save after recording the final two outs of the ninth.

The two clubs will battle it out in game two of the series on Saturday at FedExPark. First pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m.

Game Notes
 Senior hurler Brennon Martin took the hill for the Tigers and recorded the first pitch at 4:06 p.m. The Memphis, Tenn. native struck out Blue Raider leadoff man Justin Guidry on three pitches to open the game.
 Middle Tennessee shortstop Ryan Ford recorded the first hit in the renovated park in the top of the third inning. Ford singled up the middle to start the inning for the Blue Raiders. Tiger catcher Shawn Ablett threw out Ford on his attempt to steal.
 Tiger Freshman Derrick Thomas went 1-for-4 with an RBI in his collegiate debut. Thomas was a 44th round draft pick of the Boston Red Sox in the Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft in June, 2009.
 Sophomore Adam McClain went 2-for-4 and was the only other Tiger (other than Huelsing) to post multiple hits.
 Junior right-hander Chase Joiner saw his first Division I action on Friday night. The John A. Logan CC transfer allowed one run in one inning and struck out three.
 Memphis pitchers combined to strikeout 10 Middle Tennessee hitters. Blue Raiders pitchers countered with eight strikeouts.