Tigers Open Season at Home vs. Valparaiso

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The Memphis Tigers are set to open the 2022 season Friday vs. Valparaiso at 2 p.m. at FedExPark Avron Fogelman Field. Memphis looks to bounce back from an 18-39 record in 2021 and has a roster that features 19 new faces, two of whom are set for the opening weekend rotation. The visiting Beacons similarly struggled in 2021, with a 16-35 record and only a 9-19 performance in MVC action. Friday's series opener will be available on ESPN+, while all three games have an audio only stream through GoTigersGo.com.

Series Information
Memphis (0-0, 0-0) vs. Valparaiso (0-0, 0-0)
Friday, Feb. 18 – 2 p.m. (ESPN+)
            RH Connor Shamblin (0-0, 0.00) vs. RH Trent Turzenski (0-0, 0.00)
Saturday, Feb. 19– 2 p.m.
            LH Dalton Fowler (0-0, 0.00) vs. RH Colin Fields (0-0, 0.00)
Sunday, Feb. 20 – 1 p.m.
            RH Carson Stinnett (0-0, 0.00) vs. LH Jake Miller (0-0, 0.00)

Location: Memphis, Tenn.
Venue: FedExPark Avron Fogelman Field
Twitter Updates: @MemphisBaseball
Stats | Watch | Listen

Memphis went 8-4 in non-conference non-P5 games last season and started the year 4-0. The Tigers picked up a season-opening series win for the first time since 2018 but then struggled against P5 opponents, which included four games against SEC teams ranked in the top four. Memphis finished last season 13-16 at home compared to a 3-21 record away from Memphis and enter the 2022 season down its two biggest offensive producers from last year in Hunter Goodman (MLB Draft) and Alec Trela (graduation). The Memphis starting rotation will see both Connor Shamblin and Dalton Fowler make their Tigers debut, while last season's Friday night starter, Carson Stinnett, will round out a veteran Memphis rotation.

The Beacons had similar road problems to Memphis last season, with just six wins in 32 games. Valparaiso began last season with a victory over UAB before six straight losses put them under .500 for good. The Beacons went 0-7 against ranked opponents in 2021, with three losses to Notre Dame and four losses at Indiana State. Valparaiso picked up two wins in the MVC Tournament and was one of the final four teams remaining in the tournament before a loss to Southern Illinois ended their season.

Memphis and Valparaiso have met 11 times overall dating back to 1948, but just three times in the last 35 years. While playing all home games in 2009 at USA Stadium in Millington, Tenn., the Tigers picked up a three-game sweep over the Beacons, with wins of 9-5, 6-0, and 3-2. Memphis has won eight consecutive games vs. the Beacons, with their only all-time losses to Valparaiso in 1974 and 1948.

Valparaiso will play its first 17 games of the season away from home, with the Beacons' home opener set for March 23 vs. Milwaukee. The Beacons are looking to open up consecutive seasons with a victory for the first time since 2008/2009. Valparaiso was picked to finish last in the MVC for the second consecutive season. The Beacons return eight position starters and nine key pitchers from last year's team. Last year's MVC Freshman of the Year, Kaleb Hannahs, was also named a Freshman All-American by Collegiate Baseball and earned second team All-MVC honors last year.

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Players Mentioned

Dalton Fowler

Hunter Goodman

Connor Shamblin

Carson Stinnett

Alec Trela

University of Memphis Athletics