Memphis Takes SIU Series with 13th-inning Win

Sunday, March 12

Memphis, Tenn.

1:00 PM

University of Memphis

9-6

Southern Illinois

8-7

Southern Illinois

Memphis

Photo by: Matthew Smith

Mar 12, 2017 | Baseball

Box Score VIDEO: Postgame Interview

Connor Alexander and Jonathan Bowlan combined to allow one run in 13 innings

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Memphis pitchers Connor Alexander and Jonathan Bowlan were lights out for 13 innings and the Tigers edged out Southern Illinois 2-1 to take the three game series Sunday at FedExPark. The Tigers (9-6) have won three straight weekend series at FedExPark.

Jacob Elliott came to the plate with Alec Trela at second base and Colton Neel at third base with one out in the bottom of the 13^th inning and came through. The junior infielder lined a hard-hit shot that the first baseman couldn't handle and Trela came home to end the game.

Alexander was dominant for 7 1/3 innings, allowing just one unearned run on four hits. The junior right-hander had faced the minimum through six innings before getting into a little trouble in the seventh. Alexander would have been out of the jam if not for a two-out error that allowed a run to score.

Bowlan entered the game with one out in the eighth and was just as dominant as Alexander. He pitched 5 2/3 scoreless innings, allowing three hits and striking out five batters. Bowlan recorded his second win of the season.

Memphis went into the fourth inning without a hit and just one base runner but that changed after Brandon Grudzielanek and Trent Turner worked back-to-back one-out walks. Alec Trela followed that up with the Tigers first hit, a single up the middle, to give Memphis a 1-0 lead that held up until the eighth.

The Tigers were unable to capitalize on several opportunities to win the game before the 13^th inning. Memphis had two base runners on with one out in the eighth and ninth. Then had a runner at second with one out in the 10^th. Memphis again had two on in the 10^th. In all, Memphis left 12 runners on base during the game.

The Tigers will be back in action Tuesday to host Mississippi Valley State at FedExPark. Memphis will then hit the road for the team's first weekend road trip of the season, to Missouri State March 17-19.