The Tigerpen

Tag: Memphis Tigers

  • Memphis Wins Rubber Match Behind a High Scoring Offense

    Memphis Wins Rubber Match Behind a High Scoring Offense

    The Memphis Tigers faced Bowling Green today in the last game of the weekend series. The Tigers won today 13-7 behind an 8 run fourth inning.

    After dropping the first game and only scoring one run in that game Memphis’ offense stormed back. They scored 13 runs in the second game and the offensive power carried over into today’s game.

    “I’m proud of the guys for bouncing back after Friday night.”

    Matt Riser

    Memphis scored twice in the first inning but they really started piling on the score in the fourth inning. It started with Brennan DeBose hitting a grand slam making it 6-2. Doubles from Jake Curtis and Will Marcy helped extend the lead to 7-2. Then a dropped fly out in right field brings in two more runs across to make it 9-2. Then Jacob Compton scored after another double from Daunte Stuart moving to 10-2 to close out a big fourth inning for the Tigers.

    Bowling Green went through four pitchers in the fourth inning and ended up sending out eight pitchers in total in the game.

    Memphis continued to add on runs in the fifth as Curtis brought home Alex Fernandes. Curtis ended up bringing in 3 RBI’s on 4 for 5 hitting on the day.

    Bowling Green fought back into the game a bit in the sixth inning. It started with a run coming across to move it 11-3. But it did not end there as Leighton Banjoff hit a three run home run to move it to 11-6. Then to close it out DJ Newman drew a walk while bases were loaded to bring home another, making it 11-7.

    Then in the bottom of seventh Jake Curtis hit another double to bring home DuBose and Fernandes to close out the scoring for the game at 13-7.

    A series recap of the first Tigers home series of the season against Bowling Green State. Memphis won the series 2-1 to improve to 4-4 for the season.

    Some key players were Jake Curtis who ended up bringing in 3 RBI’s on 4 for 5 hitting on the day. Brennan DuBose also had a big going 2 for 5 with 4 RBI’s. Caden Robinson also had a good day on the mound. He had 2 strikeouts and gave up 2 walks over 5.1 innings. Riser said after the game “I was really confident to put that guy out on Sunday” in reference to Robinson.

  • Tigers Win Rollercoaster Game Against Bowling Green

    Tigers Win Rollercoaster Game Against Bowling Green

    The Memphis Tigers Baseball team have evened the series against Bowling Green after a close 14-13 win.  New transfer Will Marcy hit the deciding single in the bottom of the Ninth as the Tigers showed resilience after losing an early ten point-lead.

    During the first four innings, Memphis held Bowling Green scoreless while scoring in every single outing. The Tigers offense started on fire scoring multiple runs with Riley Davis hitting a three-run home run. This led to a 10-0 lead after four inning. The fifth inning seemed to be the turning point for BGSU, as batter Nathan Archer hit a Grand slam to bring the life back into the offense. This sparked a flame as Bowling Green scored seven runs in the top of the sixth inning to take the lead for the first time on the afternoon with 11-10.

    After Archer’s Grand slam, the Tigers pulled their starting pitcher Luke Ellis. During the next innings, the Tigers went through Jonah Posey, Seth Garner and Kylan Strepter at pitcher, but none of them could keep the Bowling Green hitters from scoring. So, after the eighth inning, BGSU led the game 13-12.

    • Breydan Sanders celebrates after getting two big strikeouts in the ninth inning. Photo: Florian Krempel
    • Seth Cox with a big hit to the left outfield. Photo: Florian Krempel

    Tigers head coach Matt Riser made the deciding pitcher change at the start of the ninth inning and went with Brayden Sanders. This proved to be the right decision as Sanders had two huge strikeouts to get out of the top of the ninth. After the game, Riser praised Sanders’ qualities.

    “He is a closer. We had him ready to come in and we needed him today. He is one of our best arms and we need to get him more out there in these situations”.

    After going scoreless for three of the four innings from the fifth to the eighth, the Tigers offense showed off when they were needed in the last inning. Coach Riser said, he had to get his guys back into the game after the eleven points run by BGSU.

    “I told them: Just relax and go play for me,” said Riser. “We played really good in the beginning, now let’s play good at the end of the game.”

    After a Pierre Seals walk and a single by Alex Fernandes, the Tigers managed to tie the game. With the bases loaded, it was NC State transfer Will Marcy at bat. His walk-off single drove in the deciding run for the 14-13 victory for the Tigers.

    After the game, coach Riser explained that he hopes that this game also has a mental effect on the team after losing a similar game to Little Rock the week before.

    “Definitely a game that can swing the momentum. Now, we won one like that. This gives us more confidence to go out late in these close games.”

    Tomorrow will be the third game in the series with the Tigers hoping to win their first weekend matchup. At the press conference, Matt Riser highlighted the importance of tomorrow’s match.

    “Sunday is the day you put your heart out on. You need to win Sunday. If you win Sunday, you either winning the series or sweeping the series nine times out of ten.”

    Sunday’s game will see Caden Robinson making his second start of this season. Coach Riser said he trusts in Robinson to finish out the series Sunday.

    “To have that guy on Sunday, a guy, who works with a great tempo and fills the zone up. We feel very good about it.”

    The final game of the series against Bowling Green will start at 1 pm at FedEx Park.

  • Memphis Drops First Game in Series Against Bowling Green

    Memphis Drops First Game in Series Against Bowling Green

    “It was an embarrassing outing to be honest with you”

    Matt Riser

    The Tigers struggled Friday in their opening game against Bowling Green, dropping a 9-1 game behind great pitching and hitting from Bowling Green’s DJ Newman and other hot bats for the Falcons.

    The game was tied 0-0 through three innings until a single by Garrett Wright drove in a run for the Falcons. That was followed up by a Newman double that plated two more runners, making a 3-0 lead in the fourth.

    David Warren who got the start for the Tigers was pulled after 4 and 2/3 innings of work. After he was pulled, the Falcons loaded the bags and scored one run on a walk making it 4-0 through five innings.

    In the seventh inning, Leighton Barnjoff hit a two-run home run to add more cushion to the Falcons lead, moving it to 6-0. Also in the seventh inning, Newman hit double digit strike outs for the first time in his career.

    With Malik Harris on the mound in the eighth, he gave up another run after a dropped fly ball in center field allowed a Falcon runner to come in from third. Landon Willeman came into pitch for the Falcons, came in for a hot Newman who finished with 11 strikeouts, a career high.

    Despite not contributing on the mound anymore, Newman wasn’t done. He hit a two-run home run off of Brandon Chorzelewski in the top of the ninth to give the Falcons a 9-0 lead.

    The Tigers were able to drive in their only run of the game as Seth Cox who was pinch hitting for Aaron Smigelski, hit a line drive into left field that past the diving glove of Gavin Gunan. That hit allowed Aaron Davis to score from second giving us the final score of 9-1.

    With the loss, the Tigers move to 2-4 on the season. They will look to even the series against the Falcons tomorrow at 2 p.m.

  • Memphis Run Rules Central Arkansas with Record-Tying Home Runs

    Memphis Run Rules Central Arkansas with Record-Tying Home Runs

    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.”

    Roshawn Miller/Tigerpen Memphis
    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. 

    Brennan DuBose celebrates home run during the Tigers win over Central Arkansas on Wednesday.

    “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.

  • Memphis Baseball Bested by Arkansas Little Rock in Midweek Showdown

    Memphis Baseball Bested by Arkansas Little Rock in Midweek Showdown

    LITTLE ROCK, ARK – Arkansas Little Rock dominated Memphis from start to finish, winning 10-4. The Tigers could never string together productive at-bats, as they were held to four hits on the afternoon. On the contrary, the Trojans of UALR quadrupled that number, totaling 16 base knocks. Memphis Head Coach Matt Riser said the team did not counter the Trojan’s early onslaught.

    “I just wasn’t pleased with our effort,” Riser said. “We gave up three in the first and didn’t respond very well.” 

    Memphis sophomore starting pitcher Cade Davis was rudely greeted by the bats of Arkansas Little Rock. Trojan second baseman Skyler Trevino led the charge, tallying four hits and two RBIs. UALR chased Davis from the game after 3 2/3 innings of work, allowing five earned runs and eight hits.  

    A pair of Trojan errors kept Memphis within striking distance early, but to no avail. The Tigers were sent down in order in five out of nine innings. Arkansas Little Rock starting pitcher Jack Cline gave the Trojans a quality outing, giving up two runs on as many hits in 4 2/3 innings.  

    The lone standouts offensively for Memphis were second baseman Duante Stuart and right fielder Pierre Seals, as the duo collected each of the Tigers’ four hits. Stuart’s double in the fourth inning represented the only extra-base hit of the day for Memphis.  

    Seals had a pair of RBI singles, and catcher Jonah Sutton drove in the other two runs for the Tigers with a sacrifice fly and a fielder’s choice.  

    Memphis went to the bullpen three times in the contest. Seth Garner, Jackson Lyons, and Malik Harris each took the mound for the Tigers.  

    Memphis third baseman Austin Baskin committed the Tigers’ only error of the afternoon in the 8th inning. The mishap proved to be costly, as the runner came around to score later in the inning.  

    Trojan reliever Thomas Kuykendall was a key part of the victory. He struck out seven batters and allowed one earned run in 4 1/3 innings. Kuykendall shut down any attempt at a comeback for Memphis by retiring the last nine batters of the game in order.  

    Memphis drops to 1-3 on the season. The Tigers return to Memphis tomorrow for their home opener against Central Arkansas. The first pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m. at FedEx Avron Fogelman Field.  

  • 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

  • Another Season of Change for Memphis Baseball

    Another Season of Change for Memphis Baseball

    “We have a coach that’s ready to start winning now rather than rebuild a whole entire roster and start winning five years down the road. That means a lot to me.”

    Austin Baskins, Senior Utility

    A new season of Memphis Tigers baseball is upon us, and with the new season comes a lot of new faces. Last season they brought in Kerrick Jackson who was hired after longtime coach Daron Schoenrock announced his retirement after 18 years on the job. Jackson went on to lead the Tigers to a 29-28 record and their best conference finish since 2015.

    After the season ended, Jackson left for his home state of Missouri to be the head coach for the Missouri Tigers, where he was previously an assistant. With the departure, Memphis welcomes in Matt Riser, from Southeastern Louisiana University.

    “We’re trying to transform this program into a national program, you know, like football and basketball.” Coach Riser said at his press conference leading up to opening day.

    The new head man also had the task of hiring a completely staff as all of the assistants from the previous were gone as well. “The first step obviously was having to get the staff put together that had the same vision I had. We did that quickly and very efficiently,” Riser said.

    Riser brought one of his former assistants at SLU in hitting and field coach Ford Pemberton, former player under Riser at SLU now assistant coach Connor Manola, and former pitching coach at Mercer University Cory Barton

    Riser brings quite a resumé to Memphis. He won 30 or more games in eight of his 10 seasons as the head coach at Southeastern Louisiana.

    Riser had a challenge ahead of him of replenishing a Memphis roster that depleted with a mix of transfer portal entries and MLB Draft. Six of the top seven hitters for the Tigers last season are gone as well as their two best pitchers from last year, who were both selected into the MLB Draft.

    The sole top bat that stayed through the coaching change was Utility player Austin Baskin. The Covington, Tennessee native said Riser’s win now attitude is what made him buy in and want to stay in Memphis.

    “We have a coach that’s ready to start winning now rather than rebuild a whole entire roster and start winning five years down the road,” Baskin said. “That means a lot to me.”

    The senior is looking to build off a season where he scored a team-leading 49 runs while hitting .287 in 216 at-bats

    The pitcher that will begin the season for the Tigers is senior right-hander David Warren. Warren brings the most starting experience for the Tigers. The former Pensacola State transfer pitched 72.2 innings and ended with 5.57 ERA. He will be looked at as the anchor for the starting staff and be one of the veteran leaders for the team.

    “Experience has been a big factor,” Warren said. “I started in junior college and working my way through junior college…and being able to play against a lot of different levels of competition is a big thing.”

    The Tigers will begin their season with a weekend series on the road against Jacksonville State. The first game will be Friday at 3 p.m. on ESPN+.

    Photos by Jacob Morgan/Tigerpen

  • Riser Memphis Baseball Era Begins with Road Series at Jacksonville State

    Riser Memphis Baseball Era Begins with Road Series at Jacksonville State

    The University of Memphis baseball team gears up to play its first game Friday with new coach Matt Riser at the helm.

    Riser coached ten years in the Sun Belt Conference with Southeastern Louisiana University where he coached a total of 524 games with a 320-224 record. He also helped SELU get their first large NCAA tournament bid in 2016.

    Riser is the 18th skipper for Memphis Tigers’ baseball.  

    When Riser spoke during his presser on media day, he was very straightforward with what he expected out of his players. He said he wants a locker room that is well connected. He then proceeded to say that if a player does not follow the expectations he has set, there will be consequences. 

    “If we bring guys that are coming here just for the draft or just to get on some type of prospect list or think they can play here because this program hasn’t been very good, they will get a rude awakening,” Riser said. 

    The Tiger’s first series will be at Jacksonville State University at beginning at 3 p.m. Friday. It will be live on ESPN+.