Aldridge's Four Hits Pace @MemphisBaseball to Win Over Rutgers

Friday, May 23

Clearwater, Fla.

10:00 AM

University of Memphis

29-29

Rutgers

30-24

Rutgers

Memphis

Aldridge's Four Hits Pace @MemphisBaseball to Win Over Rutgers

May 23, 2014 | Baseball

Box Score

May 23, 2014

Box Score

Box Score (PDF) 

CLEARWATER, Fla. - Keaton Aldridge recorded a career-high four hits along with two runs scored and a solo home run while Jon Reed tossed a complete game in a 5-1 Memphis win over Rutgers on Friday afternoon at the American Athletic Conference Championships.

Reed (8-3) allowed just three hits by the Scarlet Knights over the final seven innings of play, giving up a total of seven hits and three walks while striking out six batters on the day. In addition to Aldridge's four hit outing, Jake Little went 2-for-4 with an RBI to help the Tigers outhit Rutgers, 9-7.

Rutgers (30-24) took the first lead in the top of the first as Nick Favatella belted a one-out double to left field before Vinny Zarrillo singled to right center to plate Favatella for an early 1-0 lead.

Memphis (29-29) took control in the bottom of the second as a leadoff solo home run by Aldridge quickly knotted the contest and led to a three-run inning for the Tigers. After Aldridge's bomb, a single by Ethan Gross and a walk by Zach Willis put two on with no outs for Memphis. Zach Schritenthal then advanced the runners after a sacrifice bunt before a sacrifice fly by Darien Tubbs gave the Tigers a 2-1 advantage. Little then followed with an RBI single to left field to score Willis and give Memphis a 3-1 lead after two.

The Tigers added insurance runs in the eighth inning as Kane Barrow led off the inning with a hit by pitch before Bryce Beeler and Aldridge laid down bunt singles to load the bases with no outs. With one out, a throwing error at third base allowed two Tigers to come home for a 5-1 Memphis lead. Rutgers was able to keep the Tigers from stretching their lead any further by throwing out two at the plate.

The Tigers and Rutgers both sit at a 1-1 record in Pool A, while Louisville is 1-0 and USF is 0-1. The Cardinals and Bulls face off Friday afternoon. Memphis will wrap up pool play tomorrow with a 6 p.m. (CT) contest against USF. The winner of the pool will advance to Sunday's championship game.