Memphis Falls to Tennessee in Season Opener at FedExPark

Friday, February 17

Memphis, Tenn.

4:00 PM

University of Memphis

0-1

Tennessee

1-0

Tennessee

Memphis

Photo by: Matthew Smith

Memphis Falls to Tennessee in Season Opener at FedExPark

Feb 17, 2017 | Baseball

Box Score VIDEO: Postgame Interview

Opening Day crowd of 1,117 see Tigers and Vols matchup

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Memphis battled throughout, but a five-run fourth inning was too much to overcome versus Tennessee in an 8-5 Opening Day loss. The Tigers and Volunteers played in front of a FedExPark Opening Day record crowd of 1,117.

The series continues Saturday at 2 p.m. at FedExPark with junior lefthander Drew Crosby scheduled to start for Memphis against Tennessee's junior lefty Zach Warren. The two teams will close out the series Sunday at 1 p.m. at FedExPark.

Memphis redshirt freshman Tyler Walton started on the mound and pitched 3 1/3 innings, allowing five runs (three earned) on five hits. He was credited with the loss. Tennessee's Hunter Martin recorded the win on the mound.

Tennessee opened the scoring with a pair of unearned runs in the top of the first, capitalizing on a two-out error that was followed by an RBI single.

The Volunteers scored all eight of their runs in the game with two outs.

Memphis had a quick answer in the bottom of the first, as right fielder Chris Carrier smashed a one-out double in the gap in left-center followed by an RBI triple by designated hitter Andy Bowman.

Carrier and Bowman each finished with a hit apiece, while catcher Jason Santana was 3-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored. Left fielder Colton Neel and second baseman Trent Turner each had a hit.

The game remained 2-1 until Tennessee blew it open with five runs in the fourth inning. The Vols added a run on three singles off of Walton before he departed the game.

Memphis turned to junior Colton Hathcock out of the bullpen and Tennessee tagged him with three extra base hits two make the lead 7-1. The Vols scored one more off of Hathcock in the sixth to make the lead 8-1.

The Tigers fought back though, scoring two in the fifth, one in the sixth and one in the eighth but couldn't complete the rally.

Sophomore pitcher Alex Hicks was outstanding in relief, pitching four hitless innings with five strikeouts.