University of Memphis Athletics
Touch 'Em All with Jeff Brightwell: Tigers Open 2011 Season Versus Evansville
Feb 16, 2011 | Baseball
Feb. 16, 2011
MEMPHIS, Tenn. - It's hard to believe, but opening day is this Fri., Feb. 18, when Tiger Baseball host Evansville at FedExPark at 4 p.m.
Coach Daron Schoenrock's Tigers hope to keep the momentum of a second-half run from a season ago that propelled them to a third-place finish, their highest since the formation of Conference USA. A core group of veterans played a big part in last year's run according to Schoenrock.
Last year's charge should pay off in 2011, as Memphis returns six starters in the lineup led by All-Conference outfielder Drew Martinez and shortstop Chad Zurcher.
"It was because of the experience that Chad Zurcher, Drew Martinez, and Jacob Wilson and those guys all brought to the table," Schoenrock said. "Experience is so huge in college athletics" Said Schoenrock, "They've been around me enough now to know how I operate and what I expect, and how I want to approach every day."
The biggest area for the Tigers to fill will be the weekend pitching rotation. The lone weekend starter returning will be senior Ryan Holland. The Tigers are looking at sophomore Dan Langfield and transfer Clayton Gant to move into the rotation.
To help the staff succeed, the Tigers must find a reliable closer and Schoenrock will be looking to Ben Paullus to be that guy.
"He's (Paullus) in the best condition he's ever been in," said Schoenrock. "He can wear the physical demands of a closer and has the best "swing-and-miss" stuff on the team; he's got great velocity with a good breaking ball."
Evansville will be first up for the Tigers this weekend. The Purple Aces are led by sophomore shortstop Eric Stamets who was a freshman All-American and the Missouri Valley Freshman of the Year a season ago. Stamets hit .321, while stealing 43 bases and scoring 57 runs. Two other All-MVC players are featured in the lineup as well, in third-baseman Cody Fick and outfielder Cody Wallace.
The Purple Aces lineup returns seven of nine, but Evansville head coach Wes Carroll will be looking for some newcomers to step up as well.
"I feel like we have some freshmen that are going to be able to contribute in a major way this year," said Carroll.
Evansville won 32 games a year ago and is picked to finish third in the Missouri Valley Conference.
Schoenrock says it will be a challenging opening series.
"This is a dangerous team to open the season with," according to Schoenrock. "But early in the season, it's more about how we play than the opponent."
The Tigers and Purple Aces play Friday at 4 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m., and Sunday at 1 p.m. All three games will be played at FedExPark.
Following this weekend's opening series, Memphis travels south to Oxford, Miss., to face Ole Miss. The Tigers and Rebels split a pair of games last year, with each team winning at home. Mike Bianco returns for his 11th season as head coach of Ole Miss, who is coming off an appearance in the Charlottesville Regional. The Rebels return five position players plus their DH, while welcoming in 20 newcomers, including 14 freshmen.
Schoenrock feels the Rebels will be tough as usual.
"They'll (Ole Miss) be a much-improved team, with what they return and what they've added," said Schoenrock. "Their pitching will be elevated and offensively, they have the right players back."
First-pitch for the Tigers and Rebels will be at 3 p.m. on Tues., Feb. 22, at Oxford-University Stadium/Swayze Field in Oxford.
Jeff Brightwell is a 1996 graduate of the University of Memphis and is in his 8th season as the "Voice of Tiger Baseball". Brightwell is also the Radio voice of women's basketball and the internet broadcaster for men's/women's soccer and volleyball. For the past three years, he has served as the host of "Memphis Tiger Vision" through GoTigersGo.com. He has also served time as radio announcer for Tiger Softball and has done games for Men's Basketball for Learfield Sports. Brightwell is also in his 8th season as the Public Address Announcer for the Triple-A Memphis RedBirds. Follow Jeff Brightwell on www.twitter.com/memphisradio or email him at MemphisRadio@hotmail.com
