Memphis Tigers Ready for Baseball

Saturday, February 17

Memphis, Tenn.

3 p.m.

University of Memphis

Western Kentucky

Photo by: Ben Solomon

Feb 16, 2018 | Baseball

Memphis Baseball Notes vs. WKU

After Opening Day postponement, Memphis to play Saturday at 2 p.m. and Sunday at 11 a.m.

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – After a slight delay, the University of Memphis baseball team is ready to open the 2018 season on Saturday at 2 p.m. at FedExPark. Weather forced the Tigers to postpone the Opening Day game against Western Kentucky. The teams will now play Saturday at 2 p.m. and finish the series with an 11 a.m. doubleheader on Sunday.

SERIES INFORMATION:
Memphis (0-0) vs. Western Kentucky (0-0)
Saturday, Feb. 17 – 2 p.m.
Sunday, Feb. 18 – 11 a.m. (doubleheader)
Location: Memphis, Tenn.
Venue: FedExPark
Twitter Updates: @MemphisBaseball
Audio: WUMR 91.7 FM
Video: MemphisTigerNetwork
Live Stats: GoTigersGo.com

The Tigers went 30-29 in 2017, securing a sixth 30-plus win season in the last seven years. Memphis recorded five-straight seasons topping the 30-win plateau from 2011-15 for the first time in school history.

This year's team features the leadership of five seniors, including preseason all-conference selection Tyler Webb. The Tigers also have a pair of four-year seniors in RHP Connor Alexander and outfielder Carlos Williams.

Webb, a senior outfielder, batted .305 with 65 hits, 16 doubles and 43 runs scored last season. The Prosper, Texas native, started 52 games, including 50 games as the Tigers' center fielder and batted leadoff in 29 games.

Junior RHP Jonathan Bowlan enters his junior season with high expectations after finishing the 2017 season in dominant fashion. Over his last five starts, Bowlan averaged just under seven innings per start and compiled a 1.59 ERA. In 34 innings pitched across the five starts, he struck out 31 batters and walked just seven. For the season, Bowlan had a 3.75 ERA in 84 innings pitched with 78 strikeouts.

The Tigers roster features 18 newcomers, including junior college transfer Riley Cabral and Eastern Illinois transfer Cale Hennemann. Cabral helped lead Chipola College to the JuCo World Series in 2017 before being drafted by the Arizona Diamondbacks. Hennemann redshirted last season after starting 80 games in two seasons at EIU, batting .280 with 50 RBI and 41 runs scored.

Live stats for the games will be available at http://www.gotigersgo.com. Tiger fans can also follow the team's live scoring through the Official Memphis Tigers app by Sidearm, available in both the Apple App Store and Android Google Play Store.