11 Runs & 3 Long Balls Power Memphis to 2-0 Start

Saturday, February 18

Memphis, Tenn.

2 P.M.

University of Memphis

2-0

Samford

0-2

Samford

Memphis

Photo by: Matthew A. Smith

Feb 18, 2023 | Baseball

Box Score

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The University of Memphis baseball team strung together 15 hits and 11 runs on Saturday afternoon at FedExPark Avron Fogelman Field to defeat Samford, 11-6, and improve to 2-0 to start the season. Sophomore utility player Jake Curtis reached base safely five times from the leadoff spot, going 4-for-5 with two RBI, two runs scored and a pair of stolen bases.

"There's an individual part of the game obviously, but it's a team game and the team came ready to play," Curtis said. "Coach [Kerrick] Jackson has us in a great position to be a good team, and we're listening to him and buying into what he has to say."

HOW IT HAPPENED
• Samford struck first with a pair of runs in the top of the first, but sophomore pitcher David Warren settled in nicely after that for the Tigers.
• Memphis responded with two runs of its own in the bottom half of the first on a Logan Kohler blast to deep right-center field. It was the first of three home runs on the day for the Tigers.
• The Tiger offense tacked on three more runs in the second inning to take a 5-2 lead on a two-run double by senior outfielder Brayland Skinner and an RBI single by Curtis.
• A solo shot off the bat of Brennan DuBose in the third that ended up in the brand-new visitor's bullpen made it a 6-2 Memphis lead.
• In the seventh, another RBI-single by Curtis and a double off the bat of Cameron Benson just inside the first base line that brought Curtis around to score extended the lead to 8-2
• Samford burst back to life in the eighth inning with four runs, including a three-run home run by Garrett Statton that cut Memphis' lead to two.
• The Tigers answered with some insurance in the bottom half of the inning. Singles by Austin Baskin and freshman RJ Jimerson set the table for Skinner – who delivered a three-run shot over the right field wall to make it 11-6.
• A one-two-three inning by reliever Dalton Kendrick (1.1 IP, 2 K, 0 H) sealed the win for the Tigers in the ninth.

NOTABLES
• Warren got the start on the mound for Memphis, going five full innings and allowing just a pair of earned runs on four hits, striking out six Samford batters to earn the win.
• Curtis reached base safely five times from the leadoff spot, going 4-for-5 with two RBI, two runs scored and a pair of stolen bases a day after throwing two hitless innings of relief in Memphis' opening-day win.
• Skinner was 3-for-4 (5 RBI) on the day from the nine spot in the order with a pair of doubles and a moon shot, three-run home run.
• Kohler ended the day 2-for-6 with a home run and 2 RBI.
• Junior outfielder Austin Baskin was 2-for-4 on the day and scored a pair of runs.
• Senior first baseman Anthony Hansen drew three walks and was 1-for-3 on the day
• Shortstop Tyler Heckert drew a pair of walks and swiped two bases.

UP NEXT
• The Tigers are back at FedExPark tomorrow for the final game of the series at 1 p.m. Freshman Seth Garner is scheduled to make his season debut on the mound.

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.