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Tigers take series against No. 14 ranked Southern Miss
By Adam Douglas -->Sports Reporter
Published: Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Updated: Tuesday, April 12, 2011 00:04
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All signs pointed to a series sweep of the nation's No. 14-ranked team in Conference USA foe Southern Miss this weekend at FedExPark, but The University of Memphis bullpen couldn't hold a 5-1 lead in the final three and two-thirds innings.
The Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles rallied against the Tigers' bullpen to score seven runs in the late stages of the game to prevent a sweep.
Still, the Tigers took the series 2-1 and take plenty of momentum into this weekend's series with Arkansas State.
The fireworks began Friday night with the Tigers (19-12, 3-3 in C-USA) trailing the Golden Eagles 5-4 in the bottom of the ninth. A leadoff walk to senior shortstop and nation's leading hitter Chad Zurcher initiated the comeback. Third baseman Jacob Wilson followed with a bunt to advance Zurcher into scoring position, and Wilson reached base after Southern Miss closer Collin Cargill was late on his throw to second.
With runners on first and second and nobody out, U of M first baseman T.J. Rich laid down a sacrifice bunt to advance both runners into scoring position. Catcher Phillip Chapman was intentionally walked to load the bases. During the next at-bat, designated hitter Eli Hynes hit a grounder to second, and the Golden Eagles' second baseman Isaac Rodriguez attempted to turn a double play.
His throw was wide, however, and Zurcher and Wilson scored to give the Tigers the victory.
After Friday night's theatrics, the Tigers were ready to clinch the series with a win on Saturday afternoon. Both teams scored early and often, and the score was tied at six going into the bottom of the fifth. That's when the Tigers seized control and scored six unanswered runs over the next two innings to finally set themselves apart from the No. 14-ranked Golden Eagles.
Rich collected four hits in the game, including two home runs, one being a timely three-run homer to break the game wide open. Starting pitcher Ryan Holland allowed six runs, five earned, and 10 hits in four innings of work. Tyler Farley earned his first win at The U of M in relief of Holland as he allowed two runs in four innings on three hits. Farley struck out a career-high four batters.
Zurcher continued his hot hitting, and went 4-for-8 in the series and still leads the nation with a .514 batting average.
The Tigers will now turn their attention to a home-and-home series with Arkansas State. The first game of the mid-week slate is scheduled for Tuesday at FedExPark. First pitch is set for 6:30 p.m.
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Tuesday, April 12, 2011
The Daily Helmsman - Tigers take series against No. 14 ranked Southern Miss
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