Memphis Returns to FedExPark to Host No. 19 UConn

Friday, May 4

Memphis, Tenn.

6:30 p.m.

University of Memphis

UConn

Photo by: LaDarius Bridgeforth

May 02, 2018 | Baseball

Memphis Baseball Notes - UConn

The Tigers face third-straight nationally ranked conference opponent

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Memphis plays a third-straight nationally ranked conference opponent, hosting No. 19 UConn for a three-game series starting Friday at 6:30 p.m. FedExPark. The Tigers (15-30, 2-13 AAC) and Huskies will continue the series Saturday at 2 p.m. with the series finale Sunday at 1 p.m.

SERIES INFORMATION:
Date: May 4-6, 2018 | 6:30 p.m. | 2 p.m. | 1 p.m.
Location: Memphis, Tenn.
Venue: FedExPark
Watch: Memphis Tiger Network
Listen: WUMR 91.7
Live Stats: GoTigersGo.com
Twitter Updates: @MemphisBaseball

Memphis and UConn play for the fifth time as American Athletic opponents. UConn currently leads the all-time series 10-5 since the founding of the AAC.

The Tigers won the season series in 2015 in Storrs, winning two-of-three against the Huskies. Memphis has never won a series over UConn at FedexPark.

After striking out a Memphis and American Athletic Conference record 18 batters in a win over USF, junior pitcher Jonathan Bowlan was named Collegiate Baseball Newspaper National Player of the Week, Tennessee Sports Writers Pitcher of the Week and the American Pitcher of the Week. 18 K's are the most by a Division I pitcher this season.

The Tigers will enter the weekend after a series against USF that saw Memphis pitchers strike out 37 batters over the course of the weekend. Memphis is currently third in the American with 404 strikeouts in 2018.

Sophomore shortstop Alec Trela started the first 103-consecutive games of his two-year career. His streak was snapped April 29 at USF when he was among several Memphis players stricken with a foodborne illness. Trela has homered in two of his last three games, including the grand slam against Murray State that gave the Tigers the lead in the top of the ninth.

Memphis head coach Daron Schoenrock picked up a milestone victory with the April 18 win over Mississippi State. The win was the 400th of his career.

The weather has consistently impacted the Tigers' weekend schedule at FedExPark this season. Memphis has been forced to adjust start times in five-of-six series and has played four weekend doubleheaders. The Tigers have also had to adjust on the road, with several changes to the Tri-Star Classic schedule as well as a time change at Cincinnati.

With back-to-back wins over Arkansas State, April 10-11, Memphis has only won two-straight games on three occasions this season. This is the first time since 2005 that the Tigers have failed to win at least three-straight games during the first nine weeks of the season. The 2005 team went the entire season without a winning streak.

Memphis continues to pile up close losses this season, with 19 defeats by three runs or less. The Tigers have seven one-run losses, eight two-run losses and four three-run losses. Each of the Tigers last four losses are by two runs or less.