The Tigerpen

Tag: college-baseball

  • Tigers Offense Shows Off on Saturday – Memphis Evens the Series Against UTSA

    Tigers Offense Shows Off on Saturday – Memphis Evens the Series Against UTSA

    The Memphis Tigers have bounced back after their loss on Friday night. Against the conference-leading UTSA Roadrunners, they scored twelve runs, while only giving up five. A balanced offense was the key as the Tigers scored in six of the nine innings with a total of eight players contributing a run.

    Both teams started off quick as each one scored a run early in the first inning. UTSA contributed another run in the second, but just as it looked as both teams would go blow for blow, the Tigers blew the game wide open. A total of five runs in the second saw Memphis jump up in front big – a lead that they would not give up for the whole game. Coach Riser was more than pleased with his offense after the game: “The hitters did a really good job of digging in. They had some big at-bats for us with big moments early.”

    Austin Baskin slides home for a Tigers run. He added another one later on. Photo: Florian Krempel

    Starting pitcher Seth Garner had a good showing on the day. After giving up the two runs in the first two innings, he would only allow two more runs during his five played innings. Although the Tigers defense had a couple of easy errors with pitches sailing high over first base, UTSA was not able to capitalize completely.

    Luke Ellis pitching in the last inning. He finished the game for the Tigers. Photo: Florian Krempel

    The Tigers offense on the other side did not take the foot of the gas pedal as they continued their scoring after the big second inning. Over the next four, they added another six runs to put the game out of reach. Something that, according to coach Riser was immensely important: “We knew, we had to keep the pressure on UTSA. We did a really good job with that.”

    When Seth Garner’s day was over, Luke Ellis filled in on the mount. He continued the great pitching performance for Memphis. Over the last four innings, he only allowed one more run for UTSA. The combination of Garner and Ellis already worked for the second time after the same duo finishing off Rice University last Saturday. Coach Riser was full of praise for the tow after the game: “Both of them did a fantastic job. The helped us to get through some difficult stuff today as we did not play great defense today.”

    The Tigers offense was on form on Saturday. They scored a total of twelve runs. Photo: Florian Krempel

    With using only two pitchers on the day, coach Matt Riser looked forward to having a full bullpen for tomorrow’s rubber match. The Roadrunners, on the other hand, had to burn through another five pitchers on the day. After using the same amount yesterday, tomorrow’s pitching will be something to keep an eye on.

    Matt Riser hopes for his team to put on a good showing in all aspects of the game: “We did pitch really well and swung the bat really well. Let’s put all aspects of the game, also the defense, together tomorrow and go win the series.”  

    The series decider between the Memphis Tigers and the UTSA Roadrunner will kick off at 1 pm at FedEx Park.

  • Tigers Rally Falls Short In Series Opener Against UTSA

    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.

  • Memphis Shuts Down Rice to Complete Sweep

    Memphis Shuts Down Rice to Complete Sweep

    Photo Credit: Brock Busick/Memphis Athletics

    The Memphis Tigers defeated the Rice Owls 2-1 in the finale game of the series to complete the series sweep Sunday.

    It was the first series sweep of the season for the Tigers and the first road conference series sweep in over than a decade. After this weekend they find themselves back at a .500 record of 17-17.

    “Great weekend, just really proud of the guys,” head coach Matt Riser said after the game.

    Caden Robinson started the game for the Tigers and continued the solid pitching the Tigers had all series.

    The Tigers got all the scoring they needed in the top of the second inning when Jacob Compton doubled home Daunte Stuart.

    Compton was brought home by a Shane Cox single to give the Tigers a 2-0 lead.

    All Rice could muster offensively was a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the third inning to make it a 2-1 game.

    Robinson was solid throughout his time on the mound, going 4 innings while giving up one run, four hits, one walk, and three strikeouts.

    Logan Rushing replaced Robinson in the fifth inning but gave up back-to-back walks in the sixth inning, causing him to be relieved and finishing 1.1 innings pitched with no runs, no hits, two walks, and one strikeout.

    Jackson Lyons was brought in with one out in the sixth with two men on, and he only had to face one batter in his appearance when he got a double play to end the sixth inning.

    It was one of many clutch plays on defense that the Tigers had in the series, which has been a problem for the Tigers this season.

    “That’s been our achilles heel all year in all honesty…this weekend it showed.” Coach Riser said.

    Jake Curtis the took to the mound from his shortstop position to keep the lead for closer Brayden Sanders.

    Curtis would do just that with a solid seventh inning before getting into some trouble in eighth with runners at second and third.

    Curtis would work his way out of it with a Rice baserunner being thrown out at home and then got a groundout for the final out to keep the lead going into the ninth.

    Brayden Sanders, who has been lights out for the Tigers all season, was brought in complete the game for the Tigers.

    Sanders would let the first two batters in the ninth get on base but was able to work around it to get the three outs and get his seventh save of the season.

    The Tigers will now take their momentum to Bear Stadium in Conway, Arkansas on Tuesday to take on Central Arkansas at 6 pm.

  • Tigers Win Series Opener in 15

    Tigers Win Series Opener in 15

    Photo Credit: Brock Busick/Memphis Athletics

    The Memphis Tigers defeat the Rice Owls in Houston in the series opener 4-3 in a 15-inning marathon.

    David Warren took the mound for the Tigers as a starter, and the start looked rather ominous as the right-handed senior let in the first run of the game on a single in the bottom of the first inning.

    Fortunately, the Tigers were able to answer right back in the next half-inning on a double steal play that saw Pierre Seals steal second which allowed Daunte Stuart a free lane to steal home.

    A back and forth affair began when the Owls scored again on an RBI single in the next half-inning to give them a 2-1 lead.

    Then, that was quickly answered back in the top of the third when Will Marcy scored on an RBI groundout by Austin Baskin to tie the game at two.

    After that, Warren seemed to settle in and really dominate the Owls lineup. Through the next five innings, Warren would only allow one hit to give the Tigers’ bats multiple chances at taking the lead.

    Meanwhile, the Tigers were having their struggles against Rice’s starting pitcher Parker Smith who also settled on the mound after a shaky start

    What started out looking like another offensive shootout for the Tigers, turned into a pitcher’s duel and just waiting to see who would break through first.

    That answer would come in the top of the eighth when Austin Baskin came through yet again with a sacrifice fly to score Will Marcy to give the Tigers a 3-2 lead.

    Warren now had a chance to have a complete game shutout. He began the bottom of the ninth on the mound, but after a leadoff double, he was pulled from the game for closer Brayden Sanders.

    The runner would subsequently come across the plate to tie the game, leaving Warren with a stat line of 8+ innings, giving up seven hits, three runs, one walk, and three strikeouts.

    “I was really proud of Dave…to be able to pitch into the ninth was huge,” head coach Matt Riser said.

    Sanders would get out of the ninth with the game still tied, taking the game to extras. He then would get out of a bases loaded jam in the 10th to keep the game alive.

    JT Durham was tabbed as the pitcher for the extra innings, and he would deliver in a big way. Durham shut down the Owls’ offense for the majority of the extra innings to once again give the Tigers a chance.

    That chance would finally come in the 15th when Will Marcy singled home Alex Fernandes to give the Tigers’ a 4-3 lead.

    Durham would get the first out of the bottom of the 15th before being pulled, giving a stat line of 4.1 innings pitched, no runs, three hits, two walks, and three strikeouts.

    “The only way we win that is if JT did what he did, throwing up zeroes.” Riser added.

    Jake Curtis was switched from the infield to pitcher to close out the game. Curtis would get the final two outs to finally close this game out for the Tigers.

    The Tigers now have a chance to clinch the series on Saturday at 2 p.m. at Reckling Park in Houston, Texas on ESPN+

  • Tigers split Saturday Doubleheader with UNO

    Tigers split Saturday Doubleheader with UNO

    The University of Memphis Tiger split their doubleheader against the University of New Orleans Privateers on Saturday.  The Tigers now move to an 11-11 record on the season and the Privateers to 9-10.

    Brock Busick/Memphis Baseball

    The Tigers dropped game one early in the afternoon 6-1 with their only run coming from a RBI by Austin Baskin in the third bringing Alex Fernandes home.  They would fail to score the rest of the game while the Privateers scored in the first, second, fourth, seventh and eighth innings. 

    “We ran into a good arm, and he did a really good job keeping us off balance” said head coach Matt Riser “We had to reset for game two and I thought the guys did a fantastic job of that.”

    After a disappointing game on reset is exactly what the Tigers did, winning game two 12-10 in a game where they tripled their hit totals from game one.  Both teams would come out scoreless in the first inning which would one of only two scoreless innings by the tigers this game.

    The Tigers were able to get on the board first after scoring three run in the second inning headed off by a RBI from Will Macy allowing Pierre Seals to score.  Seth Cox would follow with 2 RBI allowing Fernandes and Brennan DuBose to score, already tripling their runs from game one. 

    They also held the Privateers to no runs until the fourth inning but by then the Tigers had tacked on three more runs. Two runs in the third from a homer by Daunte Stuart and a home stolen by Seals and one run in third from a Baskin home run which was his third in the season.  The Privateers scored their first two run in fourth making the score 6-2 at the close of the inning.

    In the fifth the Tigers wouldn’t score, but only allowed one run from the Privateers keeping them at bay for the moment.  But in the sixth after only allowing one run from the Tigers the Privateers would rally and scored four runs tying the score at 7-7 going into the seventh.

    DuBose put the Tigers on the board with a single RBI that scored Seals and the Tigers defense would hold off the Privateers allowing no runs and taking a 8-7 lead headed into the eighth.  Tiger scored two runs in the eighth inning a RBI by Jacob Compton and seals giving the Tigers a three run lead. 

    The Privateers would answer with three runs of their own including another two-run home run by Mitchell Sanford, the same play that tied the game in the sixth now tied the game heading into the ninth.

    After two outs defensive replacement Shane Cox would get his first and only at bat in the game and he singled into left field this allow both Baskin and Tyler Heckert to score opening a 10-12 lead late.  The Tigers defense came out and held the Privateers to nothing in the ninth after a pick off at first by Dubose and Brayden Sanders stuck out the final out of the game earing his second save of series and fifth on the season.

    The Tigers will  head to Starkville, Mississippi on Tuesday to face off against the 14-6 Mississippi State for a midweek game at 6 p.m.

  • Home Run Festival at FedEx Park – FAU Evens the Series Against the Tigers

    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.

  • AAC Play Has Now Begun

    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.

  • Memphis Tigers Win Pitchers Duel to Open Series Against Florida Atlantic

    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+.

  • Tigers Searching for Answers to Early Season Pitching Woes

    Tigers Searching for Answers to Early Season Pitching Woes

    James Brisentine/Tigerpen

    With the Tigers sitting at 11-11, there have been flashes of how good this team can be, especially with swinging the bat. In 22 games, the Tigers’ offense has had five or more runs 16 times. On the flip side, the Tigers’ pitching staff has given up five or more runs 15 times.

    There are flashes where the pitching comes out and looks great like in their 16-2 win over North Alabama, or in back-to-back games where they gave up only three runs against UT-Martin and Wright State.

    Unfortunately, those outing are few and far between. If not for the Tigers offense, it would be a much different story about this year up to this point.

    Looking at the statistics compiled so far this season, the struggles of the pitching staff are laid bare.

    Of every pitcher that has appeared in more than one game this season, only three pitchers have an ERA under four. Those three are not even starters. They are bullpen guys: Brayden Sanders, Kylan Stepter, and Jake Curtis.

    The bullpen has shown moments of stability like in their loss against Ole Miss where the bullpen went almost eight full innings while giving up only one run.

    “The encouraging part from tonight was that out of a bullpen, we pitched very well,” coach Matt Riser said after the March 6 loss.

    The starting pitching has seemed like an issue all season. The stats back it up in every way with all but one regular starter, David Warren, having an ERA over six.

    With all of those stats, the way to really show the struggles in the pitching staff is seeing where they rank nationally in pitching statistics.

    Team ERA is one of the best ways to show how good or bad a team’s pitching has been. For the Tigers, a 6.47 team ERA puts them at 183rd nationally out of 295 Division-I teams.

    In walks per nine innings, the Tigers are averaging 5.37, good for 189 overall. In strikeout to walk ratio, the Tigers are only 1.68 strikeouts to every walk, which is 169 overall. Hits allowed per nine innings show the Tigers giving up 10.37 for 200th in the country.

    WHIP or walks plus hits per innings pitched is the statistic that most people in baseball use as their barometer to see how good pitching is. It is a statistic that shows how good a pitcher or pitching staff is at keeping opposing teams from getting on base. The Tigers rank 208 in the nation in team WHIP of 1.75.

    Obviously, the Tigers are disappointed in being 11-11 at this point, but it could be a lot worse and are still in a place where they can turn the pitching around.

  • Early Surge Propels Memphis to Friday Night Victory over New Orleans

    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.