Tigers split Sunday doubleheader with Southern Illinois

Sunday, February 24

Memphis, Tenn.

1 p.m.

University of Memphis

2-3

Southern Illinois

1-3

Southern Illinois

Memphis

Photo by: Matthew A. Smith

Tigers split Sunday doubleheader with Southern Illinois

Feb 24, 2019 | Baseball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Memphis baseball split a doubleheader against Southern Illinois on Sunday at FedExPark, taking the first game 7-2 before dropping Game 2, 2-1.

"I think we made some strides today," Head Coach Daron Schoenrock said. "We played a lot cleaner defensively. SIU has a tremendous running game. For the most part, we played 18 innings and denied the stolen base. We're executing some things we need to do. Now it's just a matter of grabbing that big moment."

Despite SIU (2-3) taking an early lead in the first game of the day, Memphis (2-4) responded quickly and then added a pair of runs each in the third, sixth and seventh innings.

On the mound, Hunter Smith tallied his first win of the young season. The senior threw 6.1 innings and matched a career-best with seven strikeouts. Out of the bullpen, Takoda Metoxen and Alex Smith combined for 2.2 scoreless innings to seal the win.

SIU struck first in Game 1 with its lone runs of the game coming in the top of the first inning. Memphis answered quickly with a run in the home half. After Ben Brooks led off with a walk, a groundout and fly out advanced him to third. Hunter Goodman then connected on his first double of the day to plate the Tigers' first run.

Cale Hennemann blasted his first-career Memphis homer to lead off the third inning to tie the ball game. Goodman doubled two batters later, and a Nick Vaage triple gave Memphis its first lead of the day at 3-2.

The Tigers added two more in the sixth inning when Evan Bell drove in a pair of runners off a double. Memphis then set the 7-2 final in the seventh after Alec Trela reached base and scored and Kyle Ouellette singled to score Goodman.

In the day's second game, Ben Brooks enjoyed a 3-for-4 outing, but the Tigers fell short in a 2-1 effort.

Much like the first game, SIU tallied two runs early to gain momentum. Despite the hole, Alex Hicks settled in, retiring 10 of the next 12 batters. Hicks gave way to Chris Durham, who surrendered just one hit in four innings pitched while striking out nine.

At the plate, Memphis plated its lone run in the sixth inning. After Brooks singled and reached third to lead off the frame, a Hennemann sacrifice fly put the Tigers on the board.

The Tigers will travel to Fayetteville, Ark., for a meeting against SEC foe Arkansas on Wednesday in their first road game of the year. First pitch from Baum-Walker Stadium is set for 3 p.m.