The Tigerpen

Tag: Brennan DuBose

  • Memphis Mercy Rules North Alabama to End Losing Streak

    Memphis Mercy Rules North Alabama to End Losing Streak

    Roshawn Miller/Tigerpen

    The Tigers bounced back after a tough week, defeating the University of North Alabama Lions 16-2 in seven innings. The win snaps a five-game losing streak for Memphis. 

    “This is the type of game we needed,” said coach Matt Riser. “We did it in multiple ways, and the energy in our dugout was awesome.” 

    Starting pitcher Cade Davis put together a strong outing, allowing one run via a leadoff home run by North Alabama second baseman Jackson Ferrigno. In five innings of work, Davis recorded seven strikeouts and did not allow a walk. He received his first collegiate win for the effort. 

    North Alabama cycled through six different pitchers in the contest. All but one allowed multiple runs in their stints.

    The Tigers got the bats going early, tallying seven runs in the first three innings. Daunte Stuart and Seth Cox each drove in multiple runs with extra-base hits to give Memphis control of the contest. 

    Along with the 11 hits totaled by the Memphis offense, the North Alabama pitching staff allowed 14 Tiger batters to reach base via walk or hit-by-pitch.   

    North Alabama’s defense committed two costly errors, scoring multiple runs for Memphis and putting the game out of reach. 

    “We did a really good job of putting pressure on their defense,” said Riser. “We did the little things right to create situations for the big hits.” 

    Jacob Compton and Austin Baskin each drove in multiple runs with hits late in the game to extend the lead to double figures for Memphis. 

    Jackson Lyons entered in the sixth inning, relieving Cade Davis on the mound for the Tigers. Lyons gave up one run in two innings of work and sealed the seven-inning win for Memphis. 

    The victory over North Alabama is the second of the mercy rule variety for the Tigers this season and improves their record to 8-10. Memphis will return to action tomorrow against the Arkansas State Red Wolves at FedEx Avron Fogelman Field at 6 p.m. 

  • Tigers Take Game Two from Skyhawks, Even Season Record 

    Tigers Take Game Two from Skyhawks, Even Season Record 

    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. 

    Zac Rice at bat.
    Zac Rice for the Skyhawks is about to be at bat. Image by Ronald Todd

    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.

  • Jacksonville State Rallies Late to Stun Memphis in Extra Innings to Take the Series

    Jacksonville State Rallies Late to Stun Memphis in Extra Innings to Take the Series

    JACKSONVILLE, ALA – Jacksonville State took the season opening series from Memphis in dramatic fashion Sunday. Down 9-2 going into the bottom of the eighth inning, the Gamecocks rallied to a 13-9 victory in 11 innings.

    “We’ve got to firgure out how to finish games,” Memphis coach Matt Riser said after the game. “If we could finished games, we would be 3-0, but instead we are 1-2.”

    This game featured Jackson Sleeper of the Gamecocks and Caden Robinson of the Tigers getting the nod as starting pitchers for their respective teams. Both players started out strong, as the first two innings were scoreless.

    JSU began scoring in the third inning after Derrick Jackson Jr. hit a long home run to give the Gamecocks a 2-0 lead. The exit velocity on his long ball was 111 mph.

    Memphis responded immediately. Catcher Brennan DuBose driving in an RBI single in the top of the fourth to cut the lead down to a single run.  Alex Fernandes would then go on to hit a 3-run homer to grant Memphis a 4-2 lead. Jacob Compton then hit a solo home run right after Fernandes, pushing the lead up to three runs.

    Later, Riley Davis would record his first RBI as a member of the Tigers.  His hit would bring home Austin Baskin.

    The score stayed the same all the way until the eighth inning. In this frame, Memphis started with a single and a walk. 

    A balk by Jacksonville State brought home Memphis’ seventh run. The bases were then loaded and JSU issued back-to-back walks for runs eight and nine. JSU finally got out of the eighth with a 6-4-3 double play.

    In the home half of the eighth, Jacksonville State finally dialed up the offense. Freshman Hudson Walburn hit a three-run shot to cut the lead to 9-5. They would then hit a two-run double, shrinking the lead to just 2.

    In the ninth, Memphis went down in order. Caleb Johnson of JSU hit a two-RBI double to tie the game at 9 runs each. 

    After an intentional walk and a hit by pitch, the Gamecocks once again had the bases loaded.  Memphis got out of the jam and moved onto extra innings for the second time this series.

    Alex Fernandes started out the 10th by recording a double, leaving the go-ahead run-in scoring position for Memphis.  Memphis was unable to cash this run in, leaving the game tied after top half of the 10th.   

    In the bottom of the 10th, JSU had hot bats. They had the bases loaded for the third time in the game. Caleb Johnson would go on to hit a walk off grand slam to get the Gamecocks a victory of 13-9.

    Memphis travels to play UA, Little Rock on the road Tuesday at 3 p.m.  This game will be streamed live on ESPN+.

    Photo by Brock Busick/University of Memphis Baseball