Missouri State Rallies for 9-5 Win

Friday, March 17

Springfield, MO

3:00 PM

University of Memphis

10-7

Missouri State

13-4

Memphis

Missouri State

Photo by: Jesse Scheve

Mar 17, 2017 | Baseball

Box Score

Memphis held a 3-1 lead in the sixth before the Bears scored eight runs late

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Memphis held a 3-1 lead in the sixth inning before Missouri State rallied for eight runs over the final four innings to take the series opener 9-5 Friday at Hammons Field. The Tigers (10-7) will try to even the series with the Bears (13-4) Saturday at 2:05 p.m.

The game started well for Memphis as Alex Hicks was great through five innings, allowing just one run on four hits and no walks. Things fell apart for Hicks in the sixth though as he issued three walks and allowed two hits.

Chris Carrier returned to the lineup after an injury kept him out for a few games. The senior outfielder led off the second inning with a solo blast to left-center to give Memphis a 1-0 lead early. The home run was the first allowed this season by Missouri State starting pitcher Jordan Knutson.

Missouri State tied the game up 1-1 on three-straight two-out singles in the bottom of the third inning. Hicks was able to avoid further damage by getting the Bears' leading hitter Jake Burger to pop up to end the inning.

Memphis jumped right back in front with two runs in the top of the fourth inning. Brandon Grudzielanek started the inning with a double and Carrier singled to put two on with nobody out. Andy Bowman drove in Grudzielanek with an RBI groundout. Alec Trela singled for the second time in the game to drive in Carrier and make the score 3-1.

Missouri State took its first lead of the game on a four-run bottom of the sixth inning. The Bears started their rally after back-to-back walks with one out. A single to right loaded the bases, a sacrifice fly cut it to a one-run game and a two-out single to right field tied the game up 3-3.

A walk to reload the bases ended Hicks' day on the mound and Memphis turned to Hunter Smith. A two-run single up the middle game Missouri State a 5-3 lead.

Missouri State tacked on three more runs on three walks and three hits in the seventh to extend the lead to 8-3.

Memphis cut into the lead with two runs in the eighth but it was all for not as Missouri State answered back in the bottom half to put the game away.

Trela and Carrier both finished the game with two hits.