Tigers Win 7-4 on Opening Day, Jackson Earns First Memphis Win

Friday, February 17

Memphis, Tenn.

2 P.M.

University of Memphis

1-0

Samford

0-1

Samford

Memphis

Photo by: Matthew Smith

Tigers Win 7-4 on Opening Day, Jackson Earns First Memphis Win

Feb 17, 2023 | Baseball

Box Score

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The University of Memphis baseball team came from behind to defeat Samford, 7-4, on Opening Day at FedExPark Avron Fogelman Field on Friday afternoon, giving head coach Kerrick Jackson his first win as a Tiger.

"Any time you come into a new situation, there's a lot of anticipation," Jackson said. "Getting that first one out of the way makes it a lot easier. What I loved the most about our team was that fight and resolve. That embodies what we've been talking about and building towards all year long. It's never over until it's over."

HOW IT HAPPENED
• On the second at-bat of the game for the Tigers, senior Anthony Hansen homered down the right-field line to end a 10-pitch battle that saw him foul off six-straight pitches. It was Hansen's first at bat and home run in a Memphis uniform and got the scoring started early for the Tigers.
• Samford struck back in the top of the third, scoring a pair of runs on an RBI double and a wild pitch.
• Junior third baseman Logan Kohler tied the game back up in the bottom half of the third with an RBI single to right field that brought senior outfielder Brayland Skinner around to score after he stole second base.
• The Bulldogs evened the score in the top of the fifth inning on a sac-fly, but freshman outfielder RJ Jimerson tied things back up at three-all with an RBI single to right field, scoring junior catcher Brennan DuBose in the bottom of the sixth.
• Samford would plate one more run in the top of the seventh inning on a solo home run off the bat of centerfielder Josh Rodriguez before Memphis would break things open in the bottom half of the inning with a four spot.
• After back-to-back walks by Hansen and sophomore utility player Jake Curtis and a Samford throwing error to load the bases, sophomore Cameron Benson delivered a clutch two-RBI single to give the Tigers a 5-4 lead.
• DuBose knocked in the next run on a groundout and junior Austin Baskin plated the seventh and final run for Memphis on a fielder's choice.

NOTABLES
• Senior pitcher Dalton Fowler got the start on the mound and threw 4.2 innings, striking out six and allowing three earned runs on four hits.
• Redshirt-freshman pitcher Glenn Green III was awarded the win (0.1 IP, 1 H, 0 ER).
• Junior pitcher Dalton Kendrick pitched two solid innings of relief, striking out three and allowing one earned run on two hits.
• Curtis moved from second base to pitcher in the eighth inning and threw a pair of hitless, shutout innings (2 K) to earn the save.
• Hansen ended 1-for-3 with the solo homerun and two runs scored in his Memphis debut.
• Benson went 1-for-4 with a pair of RBI and a run scored.
• Skinner ended the day 1-for-3 with a double, a stolen base and a run scored as well as an outfield assist, nailing a runner at third base to get the Tigers out of the seventh inning and prevent a run from crossing the plate.
• Six different Tigers scored a run in the win.

UP NEXT
• The Tigers are back at FedExPark tomorrow for game two of the series at 2 p.m. Sophomore pitcher David Warren is scheduled to make his season debut.

How to follow the Tigers: For complete information on Memphis Tiger Baseball, visit www.GoTigersGo.com and follow the team's social media channels on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.