After losing the first game Memphis recovered from Tuesday’s loss to UT, Martin in a 7-3 victory over the Skyhawks. The Tigers are now 5-5 on the season, 4-2 at home.
The Skyhawks came out strong in the first inning scoring three runs. Zac Rice was the first hitter for UTM and immediately hit a single. Infielder Andrew Fernandez followed with a single of his own. Will Smith moved Rice to third, and Blaze Bell brought him home with a ground out RBI.
Fernandez also advanced after stealing second base and took third on a pass ball. Infielder Cam Smith and Fernandez both score and bring the score to 3-0 at the top of the first.
After allowing 3 runs in the top first inning the Tigers responded strong in the bottom of the second. It all began when Brennan Dubose was allowed to walk. Aaron Smigelski hits, and Shane Cox gets both of them closer to a score with a sac-bunt out. On a hit by Austin Baskin, there was an error ruled on third base that allowed him to reach first and helped both Dubose and Smigelski score bringing the score to 3-2.
From this point on, the Tigers would outscore the Skyhawks 5-0 in the next 6 innings. The Tiger’s defense helped a lot in securing the victory. Head Coach Matt Riser applauded the team for playing a complete game and for not beating themselves with errors like they did the previous night.
“We pitched it well,” said Riser. “Gave them three in the first but then eight-straight zeroes after that to a team who has been swinging it well all year. Zero errors was great to see.
RHP Brayden Sanders was one of the pitchers Riser spoke glowingly about. Sanders lead the pitchers in SOs with 5, and closed out the top of the eighth with 3 quick strikeouts. Sanders says it feels great that his coach has so much confidence in him to close out games.
“It’s always good knowing that your coach has your back no matter what happens.”
The Tigers will face Wright State University next in their weekend series. The first game will be Friday, March 1st.
The Tigerpen 
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