(03-04-2020 11:32 AM)Seahawk Nation 08 Wrote:  Moving on to our opponent for the next 3 games at Brooks Field, the Memphis Tigers.

Gametimes: Friday/4; Saturday/4; Sunday/1
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Memphis Tigers
2020 Record: 8-4
2020 AAC Predicted Finish: 8th (of 9 teams)

Memphis started off their season 8-3, which hopefully suggests they might finish higher than 8th in the AAC this season. However, they had done it against a weak schedule, with their opponents to that point in the season a combined 28-81 (.257), when adjusted for games played against each. The last 2 seasons, Memphis went 20-36 and 27-28, respectively, with 9th and 7th place finishes accordingly.

The Tigers received their first true test of the season against # 8 Ole Miss on Tuesday night, and lost 8-1 to fall to 8-4.

Two Memphis position players were named to the Preseason All-AAC teams: Sophomore C Hunter Goodman and senior 3B Alec Trela. In 2019, Goodman hit .326, blasting 13 HR with 67 RBI and stealing 11 bases. So far in 2020 he's off to a terrific start, hitting .392 with 7 HR and 30 RBI, slugging .915. He has nearly half of Memphis' HR's as a team (15), and knocked in the only Memphis run against Ole Miss. Trela, meanwhile, hit 21 HR in his first 3 seasons, and mans the hot corner one more time for the Tigers. He's off to a slower start in 2020, hitting .267 with 6 RBI and 2 SB. An offensive standout has been junior 2B Ben Brooks, who currently leads the team in hitting (.404) and OBP (.500), with 3 HR and 17 RBI.

The weekend rotation for Memphis the first 3 weekends has consisted of senior LHP Danny Denz, junior RHP Carson Stinnett and redshirt sophomore RHP Blake Wimberley. Denz sports a 1-0 record, 2.25 ERA and 15 K's in 12 innings. The southpaw Friday starter is allowing hitters to bat just .140 against him. Stinnett is 0-1 with a 3.07 ERA and 20 K's in 14.2 innings. Lastly, Wimberley sits at 2-0 with a 4.76 ERA and has 17 K's in 11.1 innings of work.

Out of the bullpen, senior RHP Takoda Metoxen has made 5 appearances and has yet to allow an earned run. He's picked up 2 Saves and has 14 K's in 6 innings. Redshirt junior RHP Logan Walters has also not allowed a run yet this season in 5.1 innings of work, picking up a Save in the process. Senior RHP Joshua Scheer leads the team in appearances (6) and sports a 1.80 ERA. Redshirt sophomore RHP Reed Hardin (1.69 ERA) and redshirt freshman LHP Daniel Casto (1.35) had not allowed any runs until the Ole Miss game.

Pitching has been the strength of the Tigers this season, with a staff ERA of 3.55 and an opponent batting average of just .231. However, their weak schedule prior to facing Ole Miss had a lot to do with that. Even after facing an SEC contender, their Strength of Schedule rank is # 265. The Seahawk lineup should give the Memphis pitching staff more problems than the likes of earlier opponents Xavier, Central Arkansas, Dayton and Western Illinois.