Memphis Rally Comes Up Short Against Middle Tennessee

Tuesday, March 7

Memphis, Tenn.

6:30 PM

University of Memphis

7-4

Middle Tennessee

6-6

Middle Tennessee

Memphis

Memphis Rally Comes Up Short Against Middle Tennessee

Mar 07, 2017 | Baseball

Box Score

The Tigers went down 6-1 early and couldn’t mount a comeback

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Middle Tennessee jumped out to a 6-1 lead through three innings and Memphis mounted a rally but came up just short in a 6-5 loss Tuesday at FedExPark. The Tigers (7-4) and Blue Raiders (6-6) will meet again Wednesday at 4 p.m. at FedExPark.

Middle Tennessee jumped out to an early 1-0 lead after a pair of first-inning singles. Memphis came right back and tied the game up in the bottom half after Andy Bowman singled up the middle to drive in Zach Schritenthal, who walked to start the inning.

The Blue Raiders made the lead 6-1 with two more runs in the second inning and three in the third.

James Muse started and pitched the first two innings, allowing three runs on four hits and three walks.

Freshman left-handed pitcher Danny Denz was called on for his career debut in the third inning and had some issues early but he settled in. He went on to pitch 3 1/3 innings and allowed only one hit and struck out four batters.

Memphis cut into the lead in the fifth on a two-out two-run single by Brandon Grudzielanek. Nick Vaage and Carlos Williams scored on the Grudzielanek single.

Blake Bennett was strong in relief, pitching 3 1/3 scoreless innings and allowing just one hit. The redshirt sophomore struck out three batters.

The Tigers had a golden opportunity to mount a full comeback in the eighth inning when Andy Bowman and Alec Trela both doubled to bring home a run and make the score 6-4. Memphis would end up leaving the bases loaded to end the inning though.

Chris Carrier smashed a solo home run in the ninth inning but Memphis couldn't get another run in to extend the game.