The University of Memphis baseball team won their home opener Wednesday against Central Arkansas 14-4 in eight innings. The Tigers came into this game with a 1-3 record after 10-4 loss to the Little Rock Trojans.
Memphis came out looking to improve after the loss the day before. The Tigers tied the program record for home runs, totaling seven in the game, the most since 2001.
“It was important to come back like we did and defend our home turf,” coach Matt Riser said. “We’re continuing to learn on the fly as we go forward.”
Tiger Pierre Seals celebrates his second home run of the day against Central Arkansas on Wednesday. Seals and the Tigers recorded a record-tying seven home runs in the 14-4 win.
Central Arkansas took an early 3-0 lead in the second inning, but Memphis would respond with a home run from Pierre Seals that scored teammate Daunte Stuart to close the lead to 3-2. The Tigers closed the door on Central Arkansas, allowing only one run for the remainder of the game.
Senior Jake Curtis would perform on both sides of the ball, totaling three hits, including a double and a home run. He also took the mound in the seventh inning and tallied three strikeouts.
“Every player on this team gives me confidence,” said Curtis. We had a bad day yesterday, but it’s all about the bounce back.”
Memphis had six players get multiple hits, and Coach Riser loved it after being “bullied” by Arkansas Little Rock. Senior third baseman Austin Baskin recorded a team high four RBIs, with two hits, both being home runs in four at bats.
“It felt great after last night to be able to come in and find barrels left and right”, Baskin said. “We knew coming into the park today that with the wind blowing all we had to do was get it up in the air.”
CJ Willis would close the game for Memphis on a pinch-hit RBI double to extend the lead to 14-4, ending the game in eight innings.
Memphis tallied a total of 17 hits in the game, while also collecting 43 total bases from seven home runs, five doubles, five singles, the second most since 2010.
The Tigers will return to FedExPark Avron Fogelman Field on Friday afternoon at 4 p.m., as they face Bowling Green in the first game of three in a weekend series at home.
The Tigerpen 
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