Memphis Drops Cincy Series in Extra Innings

Saturday, May 21

FedExPark

1:00 PM

University of Memphis

19-37, 9-15

Cincinnati

26-28-1, 13-10-1

Cincinnati

Memphis

Photo by: Joe Murphy

May 21, 2016 | Baseball

Box Score

By: Sydney Sloas

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Memphis tied the game in three different innings before losing an extra inning heartbreaker, 4-3, in the last home game of the season, dropping the series to Cincinnati Saturday at FedExPark.

Despite the loss to close out the regular season, Memphis (19-37, 9-15 American) will turn its attention to the American Athletic Conference Tournament in Clearwater, Fla. where the Tigers will be the No. 6 seed. The Tigers will take on the No. 3 seed UConn at 2 p.m. (CT) on May 25.

Cincinnati plated the winning run in the top of the tenth after a leadoff single was moved into scoring position after a balk on Memphis closer Nolan Blackwood and brought home by a fielder's choice groundout.

Tigers' starting pitcher Jonathan Bowlan worked himself out of a jam in the top of the first, allowing no runs on two hits. The Tigers were able to get off to an early lead in the bottom of the first as Darien Tubbs hit a leadoff single, stole second and advanced to third on an error with no outs. Tubbs slid into home plate on a fly ball by Jacob Elliott to make it a 1-0 game.

Cincinnati answered back with a run in the top of the second to tie the game up.

A couple of singles by left fielder Chris Carrier and shortstop Jake Overbey allowed senior catcher Damo DeMatteo to squeeze a run in with a bunt and give the Tigers a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the second.

A few Tiger miscues and Bearcat hits, including a passed ball and a single through the right side, allowed the Bearcats to tie the game up again in the third.

Alex Smith came in to pitch for the Tigers in relief in the fourth. He worked himself out of the inning after giving up a two-out double. Smith also pitched a scoreless fifth inning.

Carrier drew a walk and was moved into scoring position on an error by the catcher in the bottom of the fourth. A pair of sac bunts by Overbey and DeMatteo allowed Memphis to regain the lead.

Trey McNickle came into the game in the sixth inning and retired two batters before walking one. The Tigers then turned to Drew Crosby who gave up an RBI-triple to tie the game for the third time.

Back-to-back singles by designated hitter Trent Turner and Chris Carrier were squandered as they were left on base in the bottom of the sixth.

A hit by pitch and a single brought Nolan Blackwood in from the bullpen in the bottom of the seventh. The inning was brought to an end by a perfectly executed throw to third from right fielder Jake Little for a double play.

The Tigers looked to rally in the eighth with the bases loaded, but could not capitalize on the opportunity.