Salukis Edge Tigers to Set Up Saturday Rubber Match

Friday, March 25

Carbondale, Ill.

4:30 PM

University of Memphis

9-13

Southern Illinois

13-8-1

Memphis

Southern Illinois

Photo by: Michael Gardner

Salukis Edge Tigers to Set Up Saturday Rubber Match

Mar 25, 2016 | Baseball

Box Score

Memphis unable to cash in on freebies in 5-3 loss at Southern Illinois

CARBONDALE, Ill. – Connor Alexander was efficient on the mound but Memphis was unable to rally as the Tigers lost 5-3 to Southern Illinois Saturday at Itchy Jones Stadium. The win by the Salukis sets up a rubber match on Sunday at 2 p.m.

Alexander was the tough-luck loser, tossing a complete game with four strikeouts and just one walk. The sophomore right-hander started strong and retired the first eight batters of the game.

The Tigers' offense had six hits in the game but was unable to fully cash in on four errors by SIU, leaving nine runners on base.

Memphis did take advantage of an error to open the scoring in the second when left fielder Chris Carrier reached on a dropped fly ball in right field. Carrier moved to third on a groundout by shortstop Brandon Grudzielanek and scored on a single by designated hitter Andy Bowman. Grudzielanek was the only Tiger with multiple hits, finishing 2-for-4.

Alexander was nearly perfect through the third if not for an infield single that extended the inning. SIU was able to take advantage of its first base runner and tie the game up with an RBI double by second baseman Connor Kopach.

SIU started the fifth inning with three straight singles to grab a lead over the Tigers. The third single would have likely been an out if not for Grudzielanek losing his footing on the artificial turf.

After a sacrifice bunt moved runners to second and third base with one out, an RBI groundout was followed by an RBI squeeze bunt single that made the score 4-1.

The Tigers were able to answer back with two runs in the sixth to cut the SIU lead to 4-3. Little worked a walk to start the inning and Elliott singled to put runners on the corners with nobody out.

Carrier hit a chopper that was mishandled on the infield to drive in the first run of the inning and Grudzielanek singled to load the bases with nobody out. After a strikeout, Trent Turner reached on a fielder's choice groundout to score the second run of the inning.

The Tigers got the leadoff man on in the eighth when Elliott reached on an error. Grudzielanek singled for the second time in the game to put two runners on with one out. With two outs Trent Turner hit a ball hard but it was caught by the third baseman to end the threat.

SIU tacked on an insurance run in the eighth after an ill-advised dive in center field gave the Salukis a leadoff triple. A sacrifice fly allowed the run to score.

Memphis got a runner on base in the ninth but couldn't rally against the Salukis' closer.