Tigers Back Crosby in 9-4 Win over Cincinnati

Friday, May 5

Memphis, Tenn.

6:30 PM

University of Memphis

25-21, 6-10

Cincinnati

22-23, 6-10

Cincinnati

Memphis

Photo by: Matthew Smith

May 05, 2017 | Baseball

Box Score

Crosby tossed seven innings and allowed just three runs

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Memphis scored early and often and Drew Crosby spun a gem as the Tigers won the series opener over Cincinnati 9-4 Friday night at FedExPark. The Tigers (25-21, 6-10 AAC) will have a big day on Saturday at FedExPark as they retire the jersey of former All-American Adam Amar and honor the 2007 NCAA Regional team while also going for the series win.

Crosby tossed seven innings and allowed just three runs on three Bearcat hits. The junior left-hander didn't allow a single hit through the first four innings and after Cincinnati score three runs on three hits in the fifth he didn't allow another base runner.

The Tigers got a first-inning run after Chris Carrier doubled with two-outs and Brandon Grudzielanek drove him in with an RBI single. Carrier ended up with a big day at the plate, going 3-for-4 with four RBI and two runs scored.

Memphis put up a big third inning, scoring four runs to take a 5-0 lead. Zach Schritenthal walked to start the inning and Tyler Webb reached on an error to set up Carrier's second extra-base hit of the game.

The senior outfielder blasted a three-run homer over the left field wall to give the Tigers a 4-0 lead. Alec Trela singled to keep the inning alive and end the day for Cincinnati starting pitcher J.T. Perez after just 2 1/3 innings.

With two outs in the third, Kyle O'Keefe ripped a double down the left field line to make the score 5-0. O'Keefe finished 2-for-5 with one run driven in two runs scored.

Cincinnati cut into the lead with three runs in the top of the fifth but Memphis quickly answered back.

The Tigers scored a pair of two-out runs in the bottom of the fifth after Webb singled to drive in O'Keefe, who had singled. A passed ball then scored Colton Neel from third to make the score 7-3.

Memphis scored two more runs in the seventh to put the game out of reach. O'Keefe reached on a one-out error, and after Colton Neel walked, he scored on an RBI single by Webb. Carrier drove in the final run with an RBI single.

Hunter Smith pitched the eighth inning in relief for the Tigers and allowed one run on two hits. Taylor Bobo pitched a scoreless ninth inning with two strikeouts.