Tigers Set Sights on Historic Clash in The Big Easy
As the spring sun shines on the diamond, the University of Memphis baseball team is gearing up for a historic first encounter with the University of New Orleans Privateers. This weekend, Memphis will travel to the vibrant city of New Orleans, Louisiana, for a three-day series that promises to be a riveting addition to their season.
The stage is set at Maestri Field, where the Memphis Tigers (9-10) will look to extend their winning streak against the evenly matched New Orleans Privateers (8-8). Fans can look forward to the action starting at 6:30 p.m. Friday, with subsequent games at 2 p.m. Saturday and a 1 p.m. showdown on Sunday. All three games will be streamed live on ESPN+, offering an opportunity for supporters to catch every pitch from anywhere.
Memphis is riding a wave of confidence after barreling through a midweek sweep, securing commanding victories over North Alabama and Arkansas State. RHP Cade Davis shined on the mound Tuesday night, racking up a career-high seven strikeouts and bagging his first win donning the Tiger colors. The offensive prowess of Memphis was on full display, as the team put up an impressive 16 runs and sealed the deal with a run rule in the seventh inning. The Tigers continued their offensive onslaught Wednesday, adding another 13 runs to their tally.
Infielder Daunte Stuart has been a beacon of consistency for Memphis, boasting a .303 average and setting the pace with 21 runs scored. Stuart’s bat has been hot, with a 13-game hit streak and a perfect record of reaching base in all 19 games this season. Pierre Seals has been equally impressive, with a team-leading .328 batting average and 1.134 OPS, adding six home runs and 14 RBI to his stats.
Austin Baskin is the hitting leader with 25, and his midweek performance included the fifth four-hit game of his career. Jacob Compton, with eight home runs, is at the top of both the team and the AAC charts for homers, while also leading in RBIs with 21. The return of center fielder Will Marcy, who missed the initial four games due to injury, has been a welcome addition, hitting .345 and bringing speed on the bases with six steals.
The Tigers’ coaching staff has expressed confidence in their starting rotation, which has remained unchanged for the past five weeks. The trio of RHP David Warren, LHP Luke Ellis, and RHP Caden Robinson are set to take the mound, hoping to suppress the Privateers’ batters.
New Orleans counters with their standout players, including Mitchell Sanford and Victor Castillo, who are leading the charge with batting averages of .359 and .341, respectively. The Privateers also have a quartet of batters hitting above the .300 mark, which suggests that the Tigers’ pitchers will need to bring their best to the mound.
As both teams prepare to cross bats this weekend, the air is thick with anticipation. Will the Tigers’ recent momentum carry them through, or will the Privateers defend their home turf and stifle the visitors’ roar? This inaugural series between the two schools is more than just a set of games; it’s a fresh chapter in collegiate baseball, filled with the promise of thrilling plays, strategic pitching, and the timeless battle for victory.
