JONESBORO, Ark. (3-11-2008) ? Arkansas State (8-5) saw its four-game win streak snapped with a 3-0 loss to the Memphis Tigers (6-8) before a record crowd of 1,019 Tuesday night at Tomlinson Stadium and Kell Field.
“We have been working a long time to have the type of atmosphere we had here tonight,” said ASU Head Coach Keith Kessinger. “The new seating area was full and the Barton's Baseball Deck was full. I just wish we could have done a little more offensively for the fans.”
The Indians were held to three hits on the night ? two against Memphis starter Brach Davis (1-0), who picked up the win after working seven innings. Davis walked one and struck out five, while ASU starter Jett Jones (0-3) took the loss in 6.2 innings of work. Jones gave up all three runs, but just one earned as he struck out seven Tigers and walked one while allowing five hits.
“Jett pitched great and it is a shame that he is 0-3,” said Kessinger. “He has thrown great every time, and as long as he doesn't allow that record to affect him, he is going to really help us. He did a super job tonight.”
The Tigers went on top with a pair of unearned runs in the third. Shortstop Chad Zurcher and right fielder Chris Newsome each got aboard on back-to-back singles, and both scored on an ASU error when catcher Grey Avant could not handle a throw from third baseman Guy Brown on a fielder's choice from center fielder K.K. Chalmers. An RBI single from catcher Chris Kirkland in the seventh plated the final run for Memphis.
Arkansas State threatened in the eighth when center fielder Derrick Coleman got aboard with a two-out single and advanced to second when left fielder Todd Baumgartner reached on an error. Memphis reliever Garrett Hachel escaped the inning when he got ASU shortstop Ryan Hudgins to foul out and end the inning.
Coleman, second baseman Brandon Eller, and first baseman Drew Benes had ASU's three hits on the night.
The Tribe will be back in action March 12 when they host Harris-Stowe in a doubleheader at Tomlinson Stadium and Kell Field. Game one is scheduled to begin at 3 p.m.
