Tag: AAC

Transfers Paving the Way for the Tiger Offense

Daunte Stuart prepares to face the opposing pitcher.
Photo by Jacob Morgan/Tigerpen

Throughout the season, the Tigers have received contributions from a myriad of players. Although the offense as a whole has struggled to produce for much of the year, there are a few outliers who have consistently put together good at-bats for Memphis. Daunte Stuart, Pierre Seals and Will Marcy have been the three best hitters for the Tigers on a game-to-game basis. What do these three players have in common; they are all transfers.

Daunte Stuart transferred to Memphis from Northwestern State University in Louisiana. In his four previous seasons, Stuart’s batting average ranged between .270 and .285. This season for the Tigers, he is hitting a career-high, .314, in 40 games played. When asked about the difference in his plate approach this season, Stuart said, “My swings have become cleaner, as I have focused on becoming a more consistent hitter.”

Daunte Stuart celebrates after coming around the bases to score.
Photo by Florian Krempel/Tigerpen

Not only is Daunte Stuart one of the best hitters for the Tigers; he is also one of the premiere offensive players in the American Athletic Conference. Among all qualified batters this season, Stuart ranks first in doubles with 15. He has also possessed great patience at the plate, drawing more walks than strikeouts. “The biggest aspect for me has been mental,” said Stuart. “I’ve been locked in on every pitch, looking for any advantage that I can get.”

Pierre Seals, unlike Stuart, transferred to Memphis after completing his freshman season in junior college. At Dyersburg State, Seals hit .294 with eight home runs and 36 RBIs. In just 39 games played, he has already amassed many of the totals from his previous campaign. “Having the guidance of the older guys in the locker room has been big for me and my development,” Seals said. “I’m from the Memphis area, so I have not had to go through an adjustment period with a change of scenery.”

Pierre Seals scores a run to extend the Tigers’ lead.
Photo by Brock Busick/University of Memphis Athletics

Despite only being a sophomore, Pierre Seals can be seen at the top of several offensive categories for the Tigers. He leads the team in batting average (.324), on-base percentage (.429) and slugging percentage (.581). Along with Daunte Stuart, Seals is tied for the team lead in hits at 48. “I give credit to my coaches, especially our hitting coach, who has prepared me well to lean into my strengths when facing opposing pitchers,” said Seals.

Like Stuart, Pierre Seals has been one of the best offensive players in the AAC. He ranks fifth in total bases (86) among all hitters in the league. Seals has also been active on the basepaths this season, tallying 14 stolen bases, which places him fourth in the conference.

Will Marcy steps to the plate, awaiting a pitch he can hit.
Photo by Ronald Todd/Tigerpen

Despite being named a preseason all-AAC first team selection, Will Marcy had a rough start to the 2024 season. Last season at North Carolina State University, Marcy hit .301 for the Wolfpack, but struggled at the plate late in the season. It took a few weeks for Marcy to become the Tigers’ everyday starter in center field. Once he settled in, Marcy began producing up to the expectations set for him.

In 35 games played this season, Will Marcy is hitting .304, which ranks third on the team (behind Daunte Stuart and Pierre Seals). He is also second in doubles (13) and stolen bases (12). Marcy has also been stellar defensively for the Tigers. He has a higher fielding percentage (.989) than every other starter on the diamond.

April 23, 2024
Tigers Rally Falls Short In Series Opener Against UTSA

After a slow start, both teams would combine for 12 runs starting in the sixth inning. Memphis would tie the game in the eighth, but a four-run ninth inning for the UTSA Roadrunners would secure them the 9-6 win to open the series.

The Tigers would strike first in the bottom half of the opening frame after a sac fly from Jacob Compton would drive in the first run of the game.

Then in the top of the second, a single from Mason Lytle would bring Hector Rodriguez to knot the game at 1-1.

Lytle would continue his contributions with a triple in the fourth, which he go on to score after a sac fly from Alexander Olivio, giving the Roadrunners a 2-1 lead.

The sixth inning would see the offenses wake up for both teams, as UTSA would start it off by hanging three runs on the board after a single from Olivio would drive in Lytle. Then later in the inning a single from Diego Diaz would bring in two more runners to make 5-1.

The Tigers would claw back in the bottom half of the inning with a lead off single by Austin Baskin. Then, Pierre Seals would bring him in with a two-run home run, to bring it to 5-3.

The Roadrunners would go scoreless in the seventh and eighth. But a deep drive to left by Brennan DuBose would bring it to 5-4 in the bottom of the seventh. Then with Daunte Stuart on first, Seals would hit a single into center field, with the fielder struggling to pick it up, Stuart would score. Making 5-5 going into the ninth inning.

All the moment for the Tigers would stop there with them allowing four runs, with three errors committed. The Tigers would commit six throughout the entire game with Coach Matt Riser saying afterwards, “You make six errors in a ballgame, it makes extremely difficult to win.”

The Tigers would attempt another in the bottom of the ninth with DuBose scoring of a Jake Curtis sac fly, but it would not be enough as the fall 9-6.

The play again tomorrow at home with the game starting at 2 P.M.

April 18, 2024
‘I Live Off Adrenaline’: Brayden Sanders is Memphis’ Guy for the Big Moments

With more than half of the season played, the Tigers are still not sure where the team is standing. Bright flashes with big wins are promptly followed by devastating losses only a few days later. So far the Bullpen especially lacks any form of consistency. To one guy this does not apply – Brayden Sanders. He is coach Riser’s man when things get tight.

It is the seventh inning of game one against Florida Atlantic. David Warren has just delivered the best outing of his career as starting pitcher. He tallied seven innings, over a hundred pitches thrown and only one run allowed. But now, his arm gets tired. The score is 2 – 1 for Memphis and the bases are loaded for FAU. What now? For head coach Matt Riser, it is clear what to do. It is time for Brayden Sanders: “When Brayden is in the game, you know it is over.”

And so, it comes: Although FAU loads the bases twice in the last two innings, they are not able to score another run. After the final pitch the Tigers’ dugout erupts – a 2 – 1 victory for Memphis. After the game, Sanders talked about his performance: “As a closer, it is the best feeling ever. It is everybody’s dream. It is the best feeling in baseball.”

Brayden Sanders after his game-winning pitch against FAU. Jacob Morgan/Tigerpen

While Memphis’ season continues to be up-and-down, Brayden Sanders is one bright spot for the Tigers. So far, he has appeared in eleven games and has pitched for 16.1 innings. During these appearances, he only allowed three runs for the opponent. His ERA right now is at 1.65 and he has recorded a whopping 26 strikeouts.

His personal success also translates onto the whole team: From the eleven games he has played in, the Tigers won eight. In six of the matches, he was credited with a save, supporting the argument of coach Riser: When Brayden Sanders is in the game, the game is over most of the time.

Sanders was born in Olive Branch in Mississippi. He started his college career in Ole Miss in 2021. Before that, he attended Lewisburg High School, where he played baseball for the Patriots. During his time there, he started to show his potential: In March 2020, he pitched a complete game no-hitter, striking out 13 and driving in two runs himself. In his junior season, which was cut short due to the COVID-pandemic, he recorded a 1.71 ERA while striking out 27 hitters in only 16 innings. He improved these numbers even more in his senior campaign to a 1.50 ERA and 58 strikeouts in 37 innings.

With those stats he was ranked as the number four RHP and the number 10 overall player in Mississippi coming out of high school. After he spent his first semester at Ole Miss, he transferred to Northwest Mississippi Community College. For the Rangers, he appeared 13 times on the mound. During that, he struck out 53 batters across 36.1 innings. His season high came against Wallace State, when he recorded eight strikeouts in the game. Prior to the 2023 season, he signed with the Memphis Tigers.

Now, one season later, head coach Matt Riser values his skills as the closer highly. After the win against FAU, he had nothing but praise for Brayden Sanders: “If you want to win a championship or have an opportunity to win championships, you got to have a guy that can finish games. Brayden has proven that time and time again.”

What Sanders also has shown time and time again this season, is that he can stay focused on the bench during long games and take over when he is needed. “I have a routine that I do every single game, whether I come in or not. This keeps me in the game and lose, in case they need me in the eighth or the ninth inning”, he said after the FAU game.

Brayden Sanders right before a pitch. Jacob Morgan/Tigerpen

When his name gets called, Sanders has to deliver. For that, he often tries to remind himself that he is good enough and feed off the trust that his coach and his team have in him. Shortly before the pitch, he then shuts his head off: “I really don’t try to think too much, when I am out there. I don’t want a lot going through my mind out there,” said Sanders.

Then, he approaches each pitch individually. “I hit them with my best stuff. When they hit it, I trust my defense. When they swing and miss or I walk them, then I get the next batter,” said Sanders. A strategy that seems to be working.

Brayden Sanders loves team sports. He needs to feel the trust by his team to deliver consistently. Likewise, he also tries to pick up his teammates. Like in the game against Florida Atlantic: In the ninth inning, Jake Curtis missed a critical catch to load the bases for FAU once more. But Sanders stayed calm: “I told him: “Don’t worry, I got you”. And then I got out there and had his back.”

As the season progresses, the Tigers will definitely continue to turn to Brayden Sanders, when things get close. His ability to finish games might prove to be essential, if the team can become more consistent and stay in the game till the end. His team and most of all coach Riser rely on their best closer: “What he has overcome all year long and he continues to perform: I am just really proud of that young man.”

April 6, 2024
Home Run Festival at FedEx Park – FAU Evens the Series Against the Tigers

The Memphis Tigers have lost the second game of their series against Florida Atlantic. After the low scoring first match, game two proved to be a home run-festival as FAU hit a total of seven with Memphis adding one more. The Tigers had a chance to come back late into the game, but fell short for the final result of 5-13.

After the series opener saw a pitching masterclass from David Warren and Brayden Sanders, the Tigers could not replicate the same success. Starting pitcher Luke Ellis had an off day as FAU started the game with two home runs bringing the score to 5-0 after the top of the second inning. The Tigers had their chance to answer in the bottom of the second and took it. They scored five runs evening up the score. Another one-run home run for FAU in the third meant the end of the game for Luke Ellis. Coach Riser commented on his showing after the game:

“We saw it pretty early. He did not have his best stuff today,” said Riser. But, I thought, we did pick him up pretty well afterwards”.

Relieving him was Seth Garner, who pitched well on the day. Over the next five innings, he only allowed to more runs for FAU.

Always a step quicker – a FAU player slides to reach base. Photo: Jacob Morgan

The supposed turning point of the game of the game came in the bottom of the seventh inning, as the Tigers loaded up the bases down three with only one out. But just like in game one of the series, Memphis was once again unable to cash in on the situation as they left all three runners stranded. After the game, coach Riser was frustrated with the situation.

“We got to be better off the bench pinch hitting,” said Riser. “We got to be more productive in these situations.”

A series recap of the Tigers’ series against Florida Atlantic.

The missed opportunity in the seventh also meant that the Tigers were only able to score in one of the nine innings. After their big second, the Memphis offense went completely quiet, although there were a lot of chance to add to the scoring.

All eyes on the ball – Daunte Stuart and the Memphis Tigers. Photo: Jacob Morgan

After the seventh, FAU further extended their lead as they added another five runs bringing the final score all the way up to 13-5. This leaves the series tied at 1-1. Sunday will see a rubber match to decide the first conference home series of the Memphis Tigers. After game two, coach Riser already looked forward to the decider.

“Tomorrow is a must-win. We get Caden Robinson, we feel good about the matchup. It will be a good one.”

Due to the travelling schedule of FAU, Sunday’s game will be moved up one hour. So, the first pitch will no longer be happening at 1 pm. The series decider between the Memphis Tigers and Florida Atlantic University will start at 12 pm at FedEx Park.

March 30, 2024
AAC Play Has Now Begun

Image Credit: Brock Busick / Memphis Athletics

With the first weekend of conference play now complete, now begins where we start to see where all the teams in the AAC stack up with each other.

Wichita State

After the Shockers lost a home game to Kansas State 6-8 on Tuesday, they went down to Birmingham to play their first conference series against UAB. After losing the first game of the series 5-3, Wichita dominated the next two games by a combined score of 18-3. This puts their record at 15-8 (2-1 conference) with a home game against Oklahoma and a home series against Rice slated for next week.

Florida Atlantic

The Owls lost a road game against UCF 3-2 on Tuesday, and then came back home for their first conference opponent, Charlotte. After winning the first two games of the both by one run, FAU was absolutely dominated in the series finale 13-1. This puts the Owls at a 14-8 record (2-1 conference) with a home game against Florida Gulf Coast on Tuesday before heading up to Memphis to take on the Tigers next weekend

Tulane

The Green Wave got their week started nicely with a 2-0 win over Saint Louis on Monday before they traveled to Houston to take on Rice. Tulane won the first game of the weekend 14-7 in 11 innings, then dominated the second game 10-1 before losing the final game of the series 2-4. The Green Wave now sit at 15-9 (2-1 conference) on the season. They will travel to Hattiesburg on Tuesday to play Southern Miss before heading home for their weekend series against UTSA.

South Florida

The Bulls lost a road game to Florida Gulf Coast 3-2 on Tuesday, but they won a home the next day against Florida A&M 9-6 before beginning their conference play against Memphis. The Bulls lost the first game of the series 16-7. They won the second game of the series 9-5, and then went on to win the rubber match against the Tigers 5-3. South Florida now stands with a 14-10 record (2-1 conference). They have a road game against Bethune-Cookman on Tuesday before heading up to Charlotte for their weekend series against the 49ers.

UTSA

The Roadrunners lost a thriller to Texas State on the road 13-14 on Tuesday before heading back home for their series against ranked East Carolina. UTSA won the first game of the series 4-2 before East Carolina won a high-scoring affair 14-10 to make the finale a rubber match. Another tight game ends with UTSA winning 6-5 for the series win. The Roadrunners now have a 12-12 record (2-1 conference). They travel to Waco, Texas on Tuesday to take on Baylor before moving to New Orleans for their series against Tulane.

East Carolina

After dominating their road game on Tuesday against Elon 10-1, the Pirates moved down to San Antonio for their series against UTSA. They lost the first game of the series 4-2 before winning the second game 14-10 for a chance to win the series. They ultimately lose the rubber match 5-6 to give them a 1-2 conference record. The Pirates still sit at a respectable 16-6 and are home for the week for a game against UNC-Greensboro and then a weekend series against UAB.

UAB

The Blazers lost their home game on Tuesday against Troy before their weekend series against Wichita State. They lost the series 1-2, which is now their conference record. The Blazers now sit at 11-12 on the season and will play at home against Alabama A&M before heading to Greenville to take on East Carolina.

Charlotte

A rough week for the 49ers as they lost a road game against Davidson on Tuesday and a home game to Gardner-Webb before traveling to Boca Raton to take on Florida Atlantic. They ended up losing the series to the Owls for a 1-2 conference record. The 49ers now sit with an 11-14 record on the season and will head home for their weekend series against South Florida.

Rice

A rough week for the Owls where they lost both ends of a home and home against Houston before starting conference play against Tulane. Rice was able to win the final game of the series to avoid the sweep and give them a 1-2 conference record. The Owls now have a 9-15 record and will be on the road next week, first against Sam Houston State, then going to play Wichita State.

March 29, 2024
Memphis Tigers Win Pitchers Duel to Open Series Against Florida Atlantic

The Memphis Tigers and Florida Atlantic Owls went toe-to-toe tonight to start a three game conference series. The Tigers bested the Owls 2-1 behind a pitching gem from David Warren.

Warren pitched 7.1 innings, and during that threw 10 strikeouts and only 4 hits and 1 earned run. 7.1 innings pitched and 10 k’s are both career highs for the senior pitcher. Matt Riser had a high praise for Warren postgame, “Its gotta be the best outing of his career.”

Warren also spoke highly of himself. When asked when he felt like tonight was going to be a good night for him, he kept his response short “When I came out honestly.”

The Tigers only scored in the second inning after a Pierre Seals solo homerun to left center. Then after a Jake Curtis double, Brennan DuBose doubled himself to drive in another run. The two runs proving all they needed.

The Owls would try to threaten the Tigers lead as Andrew Mckenna hit a lead off homerun to make it 2-1 in the fourth.

The Owls got bases loaded in the eighth inning, but would end up lining out and leaving three baserunners on. The Tigers also had the bases loaded in the eighth but also were not able to do anything with it.

Brayden Sanders came in to pitch in the eighth for the Tigers and picked up where Warren left. He was the one that got them out of the bases loaded jam in the eighth, and would have to do it again in the top of the ninth.

With the bags full for the Owls Dalton Frank worked a full count against Sanders. Having to throw a strike, Sanders did just that, striking out Frank to end the game and secure the victory. Sanders spoke about the play after the game “I don’t want a lot going through my mind, it was just another pitch for me. 3-2, I was going to attack him with my best stuff.”

Up Next

The Tigers continue their homestand against the Owls tomorrow night with first pitch at 6 P.M. The game will also be streaming on ESPN+.

March 29, 2024
Tigers Offense Wakes Up Too Late – Memphis Baseball Falls to Lipscomb

Tough start into the week for the Memphis Tigers. Their late game surge was not enough to down the Lipscomb Bisons.

The Bisons showed up early as the first hit of the game directly went out of the ballpark for a one-run home run. This would be the only highlight in the first innings as both teams remained quiet for the second. After the Tigers changed pitcher to Seth Garner, Lipscomb was able to drive in two more runs in the third inning.

The Tigers, on the other hand, had a horrible offensive showing on the day. Until the bottom of the seventh inning, no runs were scored while the Bisons could rotate through four different pitchers without any effect. Coach Riser was disappointed with the offensive showing of his team.

“We pitched well enough to win a ball game today,” said Riser. “We got to be better offensively.”

Memphis Tiger Will Marcy gets hit by a pitch. Photo: Florian Krempel

Lipscomb continued the onslaught and increased the lead to 6-0. Then, the Tigers seemed to wake up. Will Marcy and Seth Cox made the score 6-2 with two runs.

The eigth inning could have been the turning point of the game as Memphis loaded the bases with no outs but could only cash in two runs from that. A sequence that frustrated coach Riser.

“We are not bringing guys in that are in scoring positions, real simple,” said Riser. “We got to be better.”

The Lipscomb Bisons on their way to scoring. Photo: Florian Krempel

Coach Riser also complained about the lack of mental toughness in the team. He says that the team will need that, because their opponents in the second half will force them to play at a higher level.

“The second half of the season is a meat grinder. You got to go out and play good baseball now to win games,” said coach Riser after the game.

A chance to play good baseball is waiting just around the corner, as the Memphis Tigers next opponent is a conference rival in FAU. Coach Riser promised to not go easy on the team with a tougher schedule fast approaching.

“This is not gonna be sunshine and rainbow and butterflies for the rest of the way out,” said Riser. “I am gonna ride them and I am gonna ride them hard, cause I expect more out of them.”

Their next game this week will be at 6pm on Thursday, where the Tigers look to get back in the win column after two losses in a row.

March 27, 2024
Memphis baseball falls on the road, USF evens series with 9-5 win

The University of Memphis baseball team lost its game two against South Florida on Saturday evening, as the Bulls evened the series 1-1 with a score of 9-5 at USF Baseball Stadium.

With the loss, the Tigers drop below .500 at 12-13 and split their first two AAC games, as the Bulls improve to 13-10 overall and also 1-1 in league action.

“We got off to a slow start with the four runs there in the first,” head coach Matt Riser said. “On a day we had probably our worst baseball, no defense and big moments we could’ve had some big hits and didn’t do it, still in it to win the ballgame tonight.”

In the first inning, South Florida scored four-runs to take an early lead. Jackson Mayo hit an RBI single through the left side, and Stewart Puckett followed with a two-run single to put the Bulls up 3-0. Puckett then stole a base, allowing John Montes to score on a passed ball and extend the score to 4-0.

South Florida loaded the bases in the first inning before Dawson Mock grounded out to end the frame.

Memphis Seth Cox at bat against South Florida at USF Baseball Stadium ( Image Credit: Brock Busick / Memphis Athletics)

Reaching the fifth inning after going scoreless the first four, a fielder’s choice by Seth Cox allowed Jake Curtis to score, putting the Tigers on the board. Austin Baskin’s RBI single allowed Cox to advance to second and Brennan DuBose scored, cutting the Bulls lead to 5-2.

Through the bottom of the fifth inning and up until the top of the eighth, neither team scored a run with only four hits combined for both sides. There was also a pitching change made by South Florida.

After two innings closed by double plays, Brennan DuBose cut the deficit to one run with a fielder’s choice. The Bulls then exploited a four-run eighth inning including John Montes’ game changing grand slam.

Jacob Compton kept the Tigers’ hopes alive in the top of the ninth by hitting an RBI single to left that made it a 9-5 ballgame with two outs. Unfortunately, Pierre Seals struck out next, ending any chance at a comeback.

“We have a lot to clean up, but I think you take confidence in that, knowing you played poorly and still had a chance to win it against their guys,” head coach Matt Riser said.

The Tigers will return to USF Baseball Stadium on Sunday for the series’ final game against South Florida at noon in hopes of claiming the series win.

March 23, 2024
Early Surge Propels Memphis to Friday Night Victory over New Orleans

Elisha Segars/Tigerpen
Will Marcy looks to get on base for the Tigers during Friday’s game against UNO.

The Tigers used a four-run first inning to take a lead that they would never relinquish, winning 5-4 over the New Orleans Privateers.

“We needed one like that where we just grinded it out,” said coach Matt Riser. “It was a great team effort.”

The first four batters of the game, Jake Curtis, Will Marcy, Austin Baskin and Daunte Stuart all reached base for Memphis before New Orleans could record an out. Stuart drove in Curtis with an RBI single, scoring the first run of the game.

Seth Cox delivered the biggest hit of the night, slapping a bases-clearing double down the left-field line to extend the Tigers’ lead to 4-0.

Starting pitcher David Warren gave the Tigers a quality outing in his fifth appearance of the season. He exited the contest after allowing two runs on four hits in seven innings. Warren would be tagged for two more runs after New Orleans scored a pair of his inherited baserunners on a double in the eighth inning.

After the first inning, Memphis only recorded one more hit the entire game. A sixth-inning single by Daunte Stuart proved to be massive, as he would come around to score on an errant pickoff attempt.

Relief pitcher Brayden Sanders closed the game for the Tigers. In his two-inning performance, he did not allow a run and only gave up one hit. Sanders struck out two New Orleans’ batters in the ninth inning and was awarded with his fourth save of the season.

The win is the third in a row for Memphis and brings them back to .500 on the season, with a record of 10-10. The Tigers and the Privateers will play a doubleheader on Saturday, starting at 2 p.m. due to the threat of inclement weather on Sunday.

March 16, 2024
The Second and Fourth Seed Gone, a Conference Champion added – All you need to know about the new-look AAC

The new season does not only bring a new head coach in Matt Riser and new players for the Memphis Tigers. The 2024 season features a completely overhauled American Athletic Conference. Three teams have left the conference and a whopping five new teams have joined. What does that mean for the new season for the Memphis Tigers?

Which teams left the AAC?

In total, three teams have left the AAC for the new season: Central Florida, Houston and Cincinnati. All of them found their new home in the Big 12 conference.

The Houston Cougars had the most success of those three teams, as they finished the last season second in the conference. They won 17 conference games, only one less than the conference champions, East Carolina. In the AAC tournament they went on to eliminate the Memphis Tigers and fell short to the later conference champion, Tulane.

The University of Central Florida finished the regular season as the four seed with a balanced 12-12 record. After that, the Knights went on to beat Cincinnati in the first round of the AAC tournament, but would ultimately lose to their in-state rivals from South Florida.

The Cincinnati Bearcats finished the season as the worst of the three leavers. A 10-14 conference record meant the same number of wins as the Memphis Tigers, earning them the fifth seed. Their tournament ended with a first round loss to UCF.

All of the three leaving teams finished the 2023 season as a higher seed than the Tigers. Houston even ended their AAC tournament hopes, as they beat them in a close 6-5 contest in the second round.

Where are the new teams in the AAC from? A map of the five teams and their location.

Which new teams have joined the AAC?

Austin Baskin, going into his fourth year with the Tigers, commented before the season about the the changes: “They are bringing in a lot of new teams into the conference this year, but, I think, we have got a really good chance to be competitive this year.”

A lot of new teams indeed, as five new teams feature in the new AAC season. All of them are coming from the same conference—Conference USA. Namely, the UAB Blazers from Alabama, the Owls from Florida Atlantic University, the Charlotte 49ers, the Rice University Owls and the UTSA Roadrunners from San Antonio in Texas.

Charlotte was last year’s Conference USA champion, and they will be a featured team in the new AAC season. The 49ers beat Dallas Baptist in the C-USA tournament final to secure their spot in the NCAA tournament.

However, they lost their regional against the University of Tennessee, eliminating them in the first round. Still, the Charlotte 49ers will be poised to repeat their success in the new conference.

Not as successful in the tournament, but better than the 49ers in the regular season last year, were the Roadrunners from San Antonio. UTSA finished the season with a 38-19 record, second only to the conference-winning Dallas Baptist. Their season, however, came to an abrupt end as Charlotte blew them out 11-2 in the first round of the C-USA tournament.

Florida Atlantic finished the season with a positive record of 34-24, good enough for the five seed in the conference. They then went on to beat Rice in the first round, but fell short in the second round to Western Kentucky.

Last, but not least, there are the two teams from Rice University and the University of Alabama, Birmingham. Both had an underwhelming season, finishing as the eighth seed in the case of Rice and tenth and dead last in the case of UAB. Rice went on to exit in the first round of the C-USA tournament, and UAB did not even make a tournament appearance. Both teams will be poised to improve their performance in this season.

Memphis Tigers’ Brennan DuBose said in his press conference before the season that he is looking forward to the new challenges: “The road games are great experiences – getting to see some of the coolest places in college baseball playing at the highest level. We want to play the top teams and we have the ability to compete with everybody”.

What can we expect from the new teams?

With the first games of the new season already in the books, some early trends for the new teams are showing. Florida Atlantic (6-5) and Charlotte (7-6) are keeping their record positive after the first few games.

UTSA’s record hangs in the balance with 6-6 and the two bottom teams from last season are off to bad start once again as they sit at the bottom of the conference: UAB with 5-6 and the Rice Owls with 4-8.

In the coaches poll before the season three of the five new teams were picked to be in the top four of the conference this season. With East Carolina picked to getting their fifth straight regular season title, Charlotte, UTSA and Florida Atlantic were selected as the second, third and fourth seed. Not surprisingly, Rice was picked for the eighth seed, and UAB was once again projected to finish last.

Memphis head coach Matt Riser predicts a rise in the quality of the AAC this season.

“FAU has been in the regional for six of the last nine years, UTSA was in the top 25 for a few weeks last season and Charlotte was in a regional final last year,” he said. “It is a three or a four-bid league when it is all said and done.”

When do the Tigers play their new opponents?

The first series against a new conference opponent for the Memphis Tigers will not be played until the end of March. Beginning on March, 28^th the Tigers will host Florida Atlantic University in their first conference matchup in a three-game-series. One week after that, coach Riser’s team will travel to Houston to face the Rice Owls for another three games starting April 5. The next two weekends will also feature new opponents for the Tigers as they host UTSA starting April 12 and travel to Charlotte for the start of the series on April 19.

The projected worst team of the five will also be the last new team Memphis faces: The Tigers will travel to Birmingham, Alabama on May, 10^th to start their three-game-series against UAB.

The team, however, does not seem to be phased by the new opponents: Junior Aaron Smigelski said that they are not thinking ahead right now: “For us it is just taking each game at a time. We always try to get the job done in the next game.”

The new AAC season promises to be an interesting one for the Memphis Tigers, with three teams that all finished above them leaving. However, from the five teams joining, three are projected to finish above the Tigers in the new season. The end of March and the month of April will show how well coach Riser’s team will stack up against their new opponents.

March 13, 2024