Alexander Leads Memphis to Sweep of Illinois State

Sunday, February 26

Memphis, Tenn.

1:00 PM

University of Memphis

4-2

Illinois State

2-4

Illinois State

Memphis

Photo by: Matthew Smith

Feb 26, 2017 | Baseball

Box Score

Tigers finish off three-game series with 3-1 win over Redbirds

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Less than 24 hours after needing an epic comeback to beat Illinois State, Memphis took an early lead Sunday and held off the Redbirds for a 3-1 win that completed the three-game sweep at FedExPark. Connor Alexander pitched seven scoreless innings to lead Memphis (4-2) to the clean sweep of Illinois State.

Alexander bounced back in a big way for a tough start on opening weekend, striking out a career high nine batters while allowing just three hits and one walk. He was dominant through the first six innings, allowing just two base runners and retiring 15 straight through the middle innings.

The only trouble Alexander faced all day was in the seventh, when the bases were loaded with two outs. Alexander got out of the seventh-inning jam with a strikeout, the ninth of his day to set a new career high for the junior right-hander.

Alexander handed the ball to the Tigers' bullpen, who allowed just one unearned run in the final two frames. Takoda Metoxen and Alex Smith combined to pitch the eighth inning.

Colton Hathcock pitched a scoreless ninth inning with two strikeouts to record his second save of the weekend.

Memphis grabbed the lead in the second inning after Chris Carrier doubled to right-center field and Trent Turner drove him in with a single to left field.

The Tigers followed a similar recipe to tack on another run in the third inning. Colton Neel tripled to center field and Tyler Webb drove him in with an RBI groundout.

Memphis put another run on the board in the sixth after a leadoff hit by pitch by Webb. Carrier took Webb's place at first base after he hit into a fielders choice. The senior right fielder then stole second base and moved to third on a wild pitch.

Freshman Alec Trela drove in Carrier with a single to right field to finish off the scoring for Memphis.

Zach Schritenthal was 2-for-4 for the Tigers' only multiple-hit game of the day.

Memphis will hit the road for its first midweek game of the season, traveling to Ole Miss to face the Rebels Tuesday at 4 p.m. The Tigers will be back home this weekend for a three-game series against Georgia Southern at FedExPark.