Memphis Travels to Houston for The American Opener

Friday, March 23

Houston, Texas

6:30 p.m.

University of Memphis

Houston

Photo by: Michael Gardner

Mar 22, 2018 | Baseball

Memphis Baseball Notes – at Houston

Tigers battle Cougars in first conference series

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The University of Memphis baseball team gets a fresh start this weekend, traveling to Houston for the first weekend series of American Athletic Conference Play.

SERIES INFORMATION:
Date: March 23-25, 2018
Location: Houston, Texas
Venue: Schroeder Park
Listen: WUMR 91.7
Watch: UHCougars.com
Twitter Updates: @MemphisBaseball
Live Stats: UHCougars.com

The Tigers (8-13), who were picked to finish seventh in the league, currently sit at the bottom of the standings. The Cougars (13-8) were picked to win the conference and currently sit in fifth with a 13-8 record.

Memphis and Houston have met every season since 1997, with the Cougars holding a 48-20 advantage in the all-time series. The Tigers last series win over Houston was in 2015 at FedExPark. Memphis has not won a series over the Cougars in Houston since a sweep in 2012.

The Tigers continue a grueling road stretch in the month of March, playing 12 of the first 16 games away from home. Memphis will travel by air for the first time this season, after making bus trips to Knoxville for the Tri-Star Classic and to Jacksonville, Fla. to play North Florida last weekend.

Memphis has been unable to get a winning streak started so far this season, winning back-to-back games only twice this season. This is the first time since 2005 that the Tigers have failed to win at least three-straight games during the first five weeks of the season. The 2005 team went the entire season without a winning streak.

So far this season, the Tigers' pitching staff has compiled an earned run average under 4.00. If Memphis can keep its ERA under 4.00, it would be the first time since 2015 for the Tigers to do so. The last two seasons Memphis has had a staff ERA over 5.00.

Junior lefty Hunter Smith has been the Tigers' most reliable bullpen arm so far this season, pitching nine times and allowing just two runs over 19.2 innings. Smith has struck out 22 and walked just two. He owns a 1-0 record with one save and an 0.92 ERA.

Outfielder Tyler Webb is the Tigers' leading hitter with a .354 average in 20 starts. He has 28 hits, 10 doubles and a home run. His .430 on-base percentage is also the best on the team.

Newcomer Kyle Ouellette is the team's second-leading hitter with a .333 batting average in 21 games played. Ouellette, a transfer from Walters State, leads the team with 17 RBI.