Tigers Drop Heartbreaker in Extra Innings

Saturday, May 7

Houston, Texas

6:30 PM

University of Memphis

16-31, 7-10

Houston

26-19, 7-9

Memphis

Houston

Photo by: Michael Gardner

May 07, 2016 | Baseball

Box Score

Houston beats Memphis 3-2 on 12th inning walk-off single

HOUSTON, Texas – Memphis got outstanding pitching performances out of Matt Ferguson and Connor Alexander but Houston got a 12^th-inning walk-off single to win 3-2 and even up the series with the Tigers. The rubber match between Memphis (16-31, 7-10 American) and Houston (26-19, 7-9 American) will be Sunday at 1 p.m. at Darryl & Lori Schroeder Park.

Ferguson battled his way to a career-high eight innings pitched in his 12^th start of the season. The senior struggled with command early but rebounded nicely and allowed just two runs on six hits with five strikeouts.

Alexander came out of the bullpen to start the ninth inning and worked three scoreless frames before the Cougars won it in the 12^th.

Designated hitter Trent Turner had a big game at the plate, going 2-for-5 with two doubles. His clutch two-run double in the seventh tied the game 2-2.

Houston started the fourth inning with a pair of singles, the first two hits of the game for either team, before Ferguson was able to bounce back to get the first two outs of the inning.

The Tigers were nearly out of the jam but a two-out single up the middle by shortstop Jose Reyes drove in the game's first run.

A solo home run by Houston designated hitter Joe Davis extended the Cougars' lead to 2-0 in the bottom of the fifth inning.

Houston starting pitcher Seth Romero hadn't allowed a hit through the first six innings of the game and frustrations were high in the Tigers' dugout going to the bottom of the sixth.

After a one-out walk by Ferguson put two runners on base, Memphis head coach Daron Schoenrock was ejected from the game after an argument with home plate umpire Scott Behn.

Schoenrock's ejection may have had an impact on his team as Memphis broke up the no-hitter in the next half inning and managed to tie the game up as well.

After right fielder Jake Little was hit by a pitch to start the sevent inning, second baseman Brandon Grudzielanek singled to right field to give the Tigers' their first hit of the game. First baseman Jacob Elliott sacrificed the runners into scoring position for the first out of the inning.

With two outs, Turner delivered with his clutch two-run double to straight away center field to score Little and Grudzielanek and make the score 2-2.

The Cougars started the bottom of the 12^th inning with back-to-back singles to put runners on the corners. Memphis intentionally walked a batter to load the bases but it didn't matter as a single by shortstop Connor Hollis drove in the game-winning run.