Tigers Narrowly fall to Tulane

Friday, May 13

New Orleans, La.

6:30 PM

University of Memphis

16-34, 0

Tulane

34-14, 0

Memphis

Tulane

Photo by: Michael Gardner

May 13, 2016 | Baseball

Box Score

Colton Hathcock allowed just one run in seven innings

NEW ORLEANS, La. – Tulane scored the only run of the game in the bottom of the eighth to drop Memphis, 1-0, in the series opener Friday at Turchin Stadium. The Tigers (16-34, 7-12 American) will have a chance to rebound in Game 2 Saturday at 4 p.m.

Memphis starting pitcher Colton Hathcock was outstanding on the mound, scattering five hits through seven innings. The sophomore struck out six batters and walked just one.

Unfortunately it was Hathcock's final strikeout, to leadoff the bottom of the eighth that cost him. He fanned Tulane shortstop Stephen Alemais, but the pitch was wild and Alemais was able to reach base with nobody out.

That ended Hathcock's day on the mound and Memphis turned to Drew Crosby out of the bullpen. Alemais was sacrificed to second base for the first out and Crosby got a strikeout before intentionally walking a batter to put two runners on base with two outs.

Green Wave right fielder Lex Kaplan delivered, driving in Alemais with a single to right field to score the only run of the game. Trey McNickle got the final out of the inning to keep it to just a 1-0 game.

Memphis had a chance in the top of the ninth inning when right fielder Jake Little worked a walk but the senior was picked off for the second out of the inning. First baseman Jacob Elliott worked a two-out walk to keep the Tigers alive but a strikeout ended the game.

Tigers' centerfielder Darien Tubbs started the game with a double down the left field line but was stranded at third base to end the top of the first inning. He had two of the Tigers' three hits in the game, finishing 2-for-4.

Tulane starting pitcher Emerson Gibbs went on to retire 17-straight Memphis batters following Tubbs' game-opening double.

The Tigers got to Gibbs a bit for the first time with two outs in the top of the sixth. Tubbs singled for his second hit of the game before third baseman Zach Schritenthal singled to put two runners on base. Little walked to load the bases but the Tigers couldn't open the scoring as Elliott grounded out to end the inning.

Gibbs tossed eight innings and allowed just three hits while striking out nine batters. Closer Corey Merrill pitched the ninth inning and recorded his third save of the season.