Tag: Memphis Tigers

Memphis Falls in Extra Innings to Jackson State

The Tigers fell short in a back-and-forth affair against Jackson State, losing 6-4 in 10 innings. Memphis finishes the weekend 0-3 and has dropped five consecutive contests.

“At some point we have to pick ourselves up,” said head coach Matt Riser. “The good news is we have games coming up to prove ourselves different, but we have to get collectively back together as a team.”

The Tigers continued their offensive struggles, tallying just four hits in the game. The lone highlight came when Jacob Compton launched a two-run shot over the right field fence. The home run was Compton’s third of the weekend and eighth of the season, leading all hitters in the AAC.

Starting pitcher Caden Robinson put together a solid outing, allowing one earned run on four hits in five innings. Two unearned runs scored in his tenure, both coming from errors by shortstop Jake Curtis.

“I thought Caden pitched his way through some tough situations,” added Riser. “We did not make a lot of plays behind him, but he handled it well and kept us in the game.”

The Memphis bullpen had another strong showing, holding Jackson State to one run in six innings of regulation. Logan Rushing, Kylan Stepter and Brayden Sanders each contributed and kept the game alive for the Tigers.

After Memphis failed to score in the bottom of the ninth inning, Jackson State took the lead on an RBI double by second baseman Myles White and extended it with an RBI single from Robert Tate II.

The Tigers were unable to match Jackson State in the bottom half of the inning, going down in order.

After the defeat, Memphis holds a record of 7-10 on the season. The Tigers return to action on Tuesday, when they face the University of North Alabama Lions at FedEx Park at 6 p.m.

March 13, 2024
Tiger Bats Go Silent in Loss Against Presbyterian

Memphis was defeated in their second game of the inaugural Grind City Classic by the Presbyterian Blue Hose. The 4-1 outcome marks the fourth consecutive loss for the Tigers.

“We are in a serious rut that we have to get out of,” said head coach Matt Riser. “It does not matter what happens, tomorrow is a day where you do not lose.”

Memphis’s offense was held to one run on five hits in the contest. The lone run of the game came via a no-doubt home run by Pierre Seals, his fifth of the season. The Tigers failed to string together hits, as they did not have multiple in any inning throughout the entire game.

Presbyterian starter Charlie McDaniel worked seven innings and gave up one run on three hits. Despite only recording three strikeouts, he coaxed weak contact to retire most of the Memphis hitters he faced.

Tigers starting pitcher Luke Ellis had a rocky outing, giving up four runs on seven hits in three innings. “We need him to take a step forward for us,” said Riser. Ellis received the loss for his effort.

Despite getting off to a rough start, Memphis was able to stay within reach, thanks to an outstanding relief performance from Seth Garner. Garner threw five scoreless innings, giving up no hits and striking out eight Presbyterian batters.

Kylan Stepter took the mound in the ninth and worked a scoreless inning, setting up the Tigers with a potential rally.

Duante Stuart reached base via an infield single, giving the Tigers momentum. However, Presbyterian reliever Kyle Mueller retired Jacob Compton and Pierre Seals, securing the save and the win for the Blue Hose.

With the loss, Memphis falls to 7-9 on the season. The Tigers will play their final game of the Grind City Classic against Jackson State on Sunday at 2 p.m.

March 13, 2024
Memphis Drops Opening Game of the Grind City Classic to Butler

Friday’s matchup between the Memphis Tigers and the Butler Bulldogs was a back-and-forth affair that resulted in Butler prevailing 7-6.

“We have to quit being redundant in what we are doing,” said Memphis head coach Matt Riser. “It’s not about the opponent, it’s about us and fixing us.”

The battle was the first of three for both teams in the inaugural Grind City Classic. The Tigers were coming off a close 5-3 loss in the midweek to the Ole Miss Rebels, a game where they hung tight with one of the premier programs in the nation.

Each team totaled 10 hits, but the Bulldogs’ proved to be timelier. Both of their home runs, hit by Ian Choi and Ryan Drumm, drove in multiple runs and helped establish Butler’s biggest lead of the game.

Memphis first baseman Jacob Compton got the scoring going for the Tigers. He hit home runs in each of his first two at-bats, tallying three RBIs to give Memphis an early lead. His seven home runs this season are the most by any player in the AAC.

Starting pitcher David Warren put together a solid outing. In five innings of work, he gave up three runs on six hits while striking out five Butler batters.

Most of the offensive production for the Bulldogs came off JT Durham. Durham took the mound after Warren exited, and he allowed four runs on four hits in 1 1/3 innings.

Memphis entered the bottom of the eighth inning trailing 7-4 and had failed to score since the third inning. However, a solo home run from Aaron Smigelski gave the Tigers momentum in the waning moments of the game.

After Brandon Chorzelewski pitched a scoreless top of the ninth inning, Jake Curtis led off the bottom of inning with a double. Two batters later, Austin Baskin hit a double of his own, scoring Curtis and making it a one-run game, at 7-6.

Duante Stuart and Jacob Compton each had a chance to tie or win the game but were unable to do so.

The loss knocks Memphis under .500, at a record of 7-8. The Tigers will play their second game of the Grind City Classic on Saturday at 5 p.m. against the Presbyterian Blue Hose.

March 13, 2024
Jake Curtis Shines Light on the Leadership in Memphis Tigers Baseball Locker Room

Memphis Tigers RHP/INF Jake Curtis spoke about the leaders in the Tigers locker room. Curtis is a Memphis legacy, as his father and uncle suited up for the Tigers back in their colligate days.

Curtis started his college career at Lincoln Land Community College in Springfield, Illinois. While in Springfield, he boasted a .184 batting average alongside a 2.86 ERA. Since coming to Memphis, he is now coming off a season where he had a .266 average at the plate and a 2.60 ERA on the mound.

He has already had a few accolades under his belt throughout his college career including: Rawlings Juco All-American 2B, MWAC Player of the year, and Region 24 player of the year.

This is Cutris’ second season with the Tigers. His younger brother is expected to join the team next season. He has had a short stint with Memphis so far, but he already been very vocal on his leadership roles within the program.

During his tenure, Curtis has already had multiple head coaches and seen some roster shakeups. He is very optimistic about this season’s culture behind the scenes.

“It means a lot to have a coach that always has our back and we have felt that since day one,” Curtis said. “It’s good to see that we are headed in the right direction.”

Baseball can be a very individualist sport, but a team must have a strong sense of leadership behind the scenes.

Curtis has been a leader during his time with the Tigers. He said that the entire senior class has adopted a leadership role on the team and is trying to teach the younger guys.

“It is big to have a leader,” Curtis said. “As for this team, we don’t have an individual leader, we have multiple. Really it is the senior class that has been here, people that have been here even longer than me. They’ve been around it and we understand what skip wants from us, and that makes it a lot easier.”

He added that accountability is key to his role as a leader on the team because everyone has to feel responsible for their actions.

“Obviously, seniors are going to make mistakes too, so that’s why we got a lot of leaders,” Curtis said. “The good thing about this team is that we’ll hold each other accountable.”

This is also Coach Matt Riser’s first season with the Tigers and his seniors have had as many as three head coaches during their time at Memphis.

“They have shown that even if with their third head coach and the third system, they have been very selfless,” Riser said. “Tell me what to do and tell me where to go and I will do that to the best of my abilities.”

Even though it is only the beginning of his second season with the university, Curtis has adapted to his leadership well and takes pride in it. He and the rest of the senior class have gained these roles and are embracing them.

“I just want to make a difference and put this program in the direction that we want and get us back on the winning page,” Curtis said.

March 13, 2024
AAC baseball weekly preview: The conference has a combined record above .500
Jacob Morgan/Tigerpen
Tiger centerfielder at bat Will Marcy versus Bowling Green at the FedExPark Avron Fogelman Field.

The 10 teams in the American Athletic Conference have a combined record of 59-53 to start the 2024 baseball season. East Carolina is ranked 11th among the top 25 D-1 baseball. UAB and Rice are the only two teams below .500.

East Carolina University Pirates (7-4)

The Pirates opened up the week facing off against four teams in a one-game stretch. After winning two straight against No.15 ranked North Carolina, they lost on the road Tuesday against Old Dominion 5-6. Then on Friday faced Purdue at home winning 7-1. ECU closed out the weekend at home against Cal State Fullerton and Southeastern Louisiana. The Pirates won 2-1 and lost 9-11 against Southeastern Louisiana. The 11th-ranked Pirates will meet VCU in the two-game series at home. Next up the Pirates take on VCU in a two-game series.

University of Memphis Tigers (7-6)

The Tigers are above .500 so far this season and tied the two-game series against UT Martin at home. They took on Wright State in a three-game weekend series, winning 2-1. Memphis were looking for their first series sweep but fell short in the finale of the series 17-7. This marks the Tiger’s second straight series win. They now go to Oxford, Miss., to face Ole Miss (8-5) in a one-game match. The Rebels are on a two-game winning streak and have a 6-3 record at home.

Florida Atlantic University Owls ( 6-5)

The Owls finished the week with a 2-3 record. They faced off against UCF in a one-game series at home and lost 6-11. UCF have won 5 of their last 6 games with a record of 8-1 (.889). Then on Wednesday, losing the game against UNF 6-8. The Owls went on to win the three-game series against Stonehill. This week they face off against No.4 Florida.

University of North Carolina at Charlotte 49ers (6-6)

The 49ers opened up the week with a one game series 3-2 win Tuesday at home against the Wofford Terriers who have a record above .500 (9-2). They then went on the road to Norfolk, VA to face Old Dominion in a three-game series, losing 2-1. The 49ers are back at home Tuesday against Western Carolina and then take on Maryland in a three-game weekend series.

University of South Florida Bulls (5-5)

The Bulls went to Tallahassee, FL to take on Florida State. They went on to lose 4-12 in a one-game. Then on Friday they opened up the three-game weekend series on the road against UCF losing 1-2. They face off against a North Florida team who have won six straight games.

AAC weekly baseball honors list

PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Caleb Hill, Sr., OF – UTSA

PITCHER OF THE WEEK

Caden Favors, Sr. – Wichita State

HONOR ROLL
- Trey Yesavage, Jr., P – East Carolina
- Carter Cunningham, Sr., INF – East Carolina
- Jacob Compton, Sr., 1B/DH – Memphis
- Gavin Schulz, Jr., INF – Tulane
- Camden Johnson, Fr., INF – Wichita State
March 12, 2024
Memphis Drops Series Finale to Wright State

Caden Robinson walks off the field after a rough outing. Photo by James Brisentine

The Memphis Tigers lose the series finale to the Wright State Raiders 17-7. The Tigers were still able to win the series with their wins on Friday and Saturday, and their record now sits 7-6.

“Obviously giving up 17 runs, it’s tough to win,” coach Matt Riser said after the game.

The box score tells the tale, with Wright State scoring at least one run in every inning except the first and ninth.

The first inning saw starter Caden Robinson breezing through the order with ease, only for the wheels to come off in second inning with six runs coming across to put the Tigers in a big hole early.

Robinson loaded the bases early and was not able to recover, giving up three runs on two singles, a walk, and a bases clearing double.

Memphis got a run back in the second inning to make it 6-1, but a two-run home run by the Raiders in the third inning marked the end of the day for Robinson. He exited with a line of 2 2/3 innings pitched, eight runs allowed on seven hits, three walks, and four strikeouts.

JT Durham was inserted for a couple of innings of relief duty. He went 2 1/3 innings while giving up three runs (two earned) on three hits, one walk, and two strikeouts.

An Austin Baskin RBI double in the fourth inning was all the offense the Tigers could muster in the middle third of the game, leaving Memphis in a 11-2 deficit.

After Durham was pulled from the game, Riser turned to five different pitchers to close out the final four innings.

Malik Harris, Brandon Chorzelewski, Waylon Sebren, Jonah Posey, and Ethan Vandament all took the mound in the final four innings for the Tigers

“We need some of the guys in the pitching staff [to find their roles],” Riser said. “It might be just to get one or two outs for us.”

The five pitchers combined for six runs on seven hits (all hits and runs were charged to Harris and Sebren), six walks, and two strikeouts.

During that time, the Tigers offense tried to fight back with three-run sixth inning, courtesy of a two-run double by Daunte Stuart, followed by an RBI single from Jacob Compton to make it 12-5.

It seemed that Wright State had an answer for every attempt at a comeback by the Tigers.

Three runs by Memphis were met with a two-run home run in the next half-inning by Wright State to make it 14-5.

Two runs in the bottom of the seventh inning by the Tigers made it 14-7. However, Wright State added three more runs of their own in the eight inning to push their lead to double digits.

The Tigers are back in action on Wednesday when they travel to Oxford, Mississippi to take on the Ole Miss Rebels at 6:30 p.m. on SEC Network+.

March 7, 2024
Tigers Use Late Game Heroics in Walk-off Win

Jacob Compton celebrates his second home run. Photo by James Brisentine

The Memphis Tigers beat the Wright State Raiders 13-12 on a walk-off single by Austin Baskin in the ninth to clinch the series win. This win also puts the Tigers’ record at 7-5 on the season.

“What a game. I think the impressive part for our club is we’re learning, and there’s no quit.” Head coach Matt Riser said after the game.

The game started out as great as the sunny, 70-degree weather for the Tigers with a three-run bottom of the first thanks to an RBI single by Will Marcy, followed by a two-run home run by Jacob Compton.

Luke Ellis was on the mound for the Tigers and was looking strong to start with two solid innings to begin. Then, came the third when Wright State began to get to Ellis, scoring two runs in the inning and threatening to score more. Fortunately, Ellis was able to get out of the inning with the lead intact.

The same could not be said about the fourth inning with three runs coming across the plate for the Raiders, giving them a 5-3 lead.

That would be all for Ellis, and the lefty from Somerville finished with four innings pitched, 5 runs (three earned), eight hits, one walk, and four strikeouts.

Jackson Lyons would come in to pitch the fifth inning. After loading the bases and then walking in a run with the bases loaded, Lyons was yanked.

Seth Cox came in to get out of the fifth inning and really stabilized a reeling Tigers team. He put in a stellar 2 1/3 innings, allowing only one hit, one walk, and four strikeouts.

“For Seth Cox to come in there and bounce back after his last outing, just really pleased to see that,” Riser added.

Cox’s stability gave the Tigers the chance to bounce back now down 8-3, and they did with a five-run bottom of the fifth, capped off with a three-run homer by Jacob Compton, his second of the day. This tied the game back up back at eight, going into the sixth inning

The bottom of the sixth saw the Tigers tack on three runs to give them an 11-8 lead thanks to a throwing error by Wright State.

The eighth inning would see the Tigers’ three run lead evaporate with Logan Rushing coming and being unable to get anyone out and loading up the bases, all who would eventually score to tie the back up at 11.

The top of the ninth saw leadoff hitter Jake Curtis be called upon to pitch, and while letting in an unearned run, was able to get out of the inning and gave the Tigers a chance to tie and/or win it in the ninth.

Brennan DuBose was first to get on base with a single, then stole second, was able to advance to third on a throwing error by the catcher, and then scored on a wild pitch to tie the game.

Jake Curtis, who again just pitched the previous half-inning, hit a two-out double to be the potential game-winning run.

An intentional walk to Will Marcy gave Austin Baskin the chance to be the hero for the Tigers. He would not disappoint with a walk-off single to clinch the game and the series against Wright State.

The Tigers will go for the series sweep on Sunday at 1 p.m. at FedEx Park.

March 7, 2024
Memphis Takes Game One vs Wright State

Memphis wins their first game of their weekend series against Wright State 6-3. The victory improves their record to 6-5, while Wright State drops to 2-6.

The Tigers scored the first five runs of the game. They started off the bottom of the first inning with three runs from Austin Baskin, Will Marcy and Duante Stuart. Aaron Smigelski helped the Tigers score again with two RBIs in the bottom of the third, bringing the score to 5-0.

On the defensive side, Memphis once again played a game with no errors. For the first seven innings of the game, The Tigers did not allow a single run. However, momentum started to shift towards Wright State in the eighth, when the Raiders hit a solo home run. Moments later, they added a two-run home run, making the score 5-3.

Daunte Stuart scores run in the bottom of the first. (Photo by Ronald Todd).

Aaron Smigelski responded to Wright State’s flurry of runs with one of his own, which gave Memphis a 6-3 cushion. This would be the last run either team scored, as the Tigers’ closer Breydan Sanders closed the game with two strikeouts and a save.

Although it was Sanders who closed out the game, David Warren was the primary pitcher for seven innings and led the team in strikeouts with three. Head coach Matt Riser said it was his hot start that gave the Tigers their early momentum.

“Dave [Warren] set the tone from the get-go,” said Riser. “I was really proud of his outing, one of the best of his career.”

David Warren practices his pitches for the next inning (Photo by Ronald Todd).

Aaron Smigelski was another key player in the victory. His final stat line included 2 RBIs and a home run. In the previous game against UT Martin, he had a sac-fly that gave them the lead and ultimately changed the momentum of the game. He says that he and the team are getting better after the slow start they had in the beginning of the season.

“Each day we’re improving as team,” said Smigelski. “We’re learning how to find ways to win.”

The Tigers will play their second game against Wright State tomorrow at 2 p.m.

March 7, 2024
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 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.

March 7, 2024
Tigers Drop Game One Against UT-Martin

Photo by Ronald Todd

The Memphis Tigers lost game one of their two-game series Tuesday against the UT-Martin Skyhawks 10-7, dropping them to a 4-5 record on the season.

“We just have to find consistency,” said coach Matt Riser. “Either that or get these games off ESPN+, because these last two have been just terrible.”

On a windy afternoon at FedEx Park, the game started out promising for Memphis. The Tigers took an early 3-0 lead, thanks to an Austin Baskin RBI single in the first inning and a two-run home run by Pierre Seals in the second inning.

Cade Davis took the mound as the starter for the Tigers and was able to keep the Skyhawks at bay through the first four innings, only allowing a solo home run in the third inning.

UT-Martin gave the run back in the fourth inning via another home run by Pierre Seals. The solo shot gave the Memphis native his fourth home run of the season and his second multi-home run game of the season.

Unfortunately, the Skyhawks plated seven runs in the fifth inning, and Cade Davis was pulled from the game, giving him a final stat line of nine hits, eight runs (seven earned), one walk, and five strikeouts in 4 1/3 innings.

“I thought Cade was fine. We just have to play better defense behind him.” Riser said. “Our defensive philosophy is to eliminate the big inning, and when you do what we did, not playing defense behind our pitcher and give up a seven-run inning, it makes it extremely difficult.”

Reliever Seth Cole ended the fifth inning and began the sixth inning for the Tigers, but he was later pulled after giving up two more runs to UT-Martin extending their lead to 10-4 .

Jackson Lyons took over ending the sixth inning, and pitching two more, giving up only one hit and one walk in his time on the mound.

First baseman Jacob Compton cut into the Skyhawks lead in the bottom of the sixth with a solo home run over the video board in right field to make it a 10-5 game. It was the Olive Branch native’s third home run of the season.

NC State transfer Will Marcy added another solo home run, his first with the Tigers, to make it 10-6 in the seventh inning.

Relievers Brandon Chorzelewski and Kylan Stepter got the last four UT-Martin batters out with ease to give the Tigers a chance at some late-inning runs.

Catcher Brennan DuBose gave the fans hope, continuing his hot streak with a solo home run in the ninth to make it 10-7. Unfortunately, that was all the team could muster in the ninth inning.

The Tigers have a chance to split the series with UT-Martin on Wednesday at 4 p.m. at FedEx Park.

February 29, 2024