The Tigerpen

Tag: Memphis

  • Memphis Drops Series Finale to Wright State

    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+.

  • Tigers Use Late Game Heroics in Walk-off Win

    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.

  • Memphis Takes Game One vs Wright State

    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.

  • Tigers Drop Game One Against UT-Martin

    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.

  • 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.

  • 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

  • Memphis Baseball Drops Season Opener in 13 Inning Marathon

    Memphis Baseball Drops Season Opener in 13 Inning Marathon

    JACKSONVILLE, ALA ­– University of Memphis baseball lost a 13-inning season opener Friday to Jacksonville State, the two teams first-ever meeting. The Gamecocks hit a walk-off home run

    Jacksonville State brought out RHP Austin Cornelius to start the game on the mound.  This was his first ever colligate start, despite appearing out of the bullpen 23 times last season.

    Early in the game, Jacob Compton recorded the first hit of the 2024Tigers season, Compton smashed a double to deep left field.

    RHP David Warren was the starting pitcher for coach Matt Riser’s Tigers Friday afternoon. He did not have the best start, giving up an early triple to the Gamecocks. 

    This one cuts a little deep, you don’t expect to go 13 innings on opening night. The good thing that showed out of it was that we fought, and there’s no question about that.

    Matt Riser, Memphis Baseball Coach

    Caleb Johnson’s triple was later cashed in by a Brennen Norton RBI single. JSU led Memphis 1-0 after one inning.

    The Tigers responded immediately. Daunte Stuart drew his 110th collegiate walk, followed by a Seth Cox double early in the second inning. Catcher Brennan DuBose cashed in both of those runs with an RBI double.

    The Gamecocks started getting some momentum in the bottom of the fourth inning.  Freshman Gabe Young hit a 1-out triple, which called for a Tigers mound visit. Following the meeting, pitcher David Warren recorded the next two outs in just two pitches to hold on to the Tigers one run lead.

    JSU was threatening again in the bottom of the fifth, with back-to-back singles and just one out. Memphis once again found their way out of the jam with a 6-4-3 double play to end the inning.

    In the top of the sixth, Memphis got its first long ball of the season. DH Seth Cox hit a three-run shot to deep center allowing Memphis to take a 5-1 lead.

    Jacksonville State answered instantly. Memphis grabbed pitcher Brandon Chorezelewiski from the bullpen.  Chorezelewiski gave up a walk and a hit quickly. Gabe Young then smacked an RBI double to cut the lead down to 3. Coach Riser pulled Chorezelewiski before he could record an out. JSU would score two more runs on a sacrifice and a passed ball in the bottom of the 6th.

    In the eighth inning, JSU’s Bear Madliak tied the game with an RBI double. Memphis could not get anything going on offense since the sixth inning. The score was then 5-5.

    Memphis got some things going in the 9th, but eventually left two runners stranded.  JSU went down in order to send us into extra innings.

    Neither team could generate a lot of offense in extras.  JSU in fact struck out 8 Memphis batters in a row across extra innings.

    Finally, in the bottom of the 13th inning, Brennan Norton of Jacksonville State hit a walk off home run to deep left field.  Memphis fell to 0-1 to start the 2024 season. 

    “This one cuts a little deep, you don’t expect to go 13 innings on opening night,” Riser said after the game. “The good thing that showed out of it was that we fought, and there’s no question about that.”

    The Tigers take on the Gamecocks again today at 2 p.m. on ESPN +.