University of Memphis Athletics
University of Memphis
8-8
UNC Wilmington
11-8
Tigers drop series opener against UNCW
Mar 15, 2019 | Baseball
On the mound, Hunter Smith turned in a remarkable start to the game but was ultimately tagged with the loss. The senior tied a career best with nine strikeouts in five innings pitched. Smith struck out the side in the first two innings and registered eight strikeouts through three innings before the Seahawk offense rallied.
Offensively, Kyle Ouellette continued to swing a hot stick with a 4-for-4 performance and plated three runs. Ouellette has hit .625 in the last four games (10-for-16). Ben Brooks (2-for-2) and Hunter Goodman (2-for-5) also turned in multi-hit efforts. Goodman added a team-best two RBI.
Memphis struck first as Ouellette scored the game's first run. The senior led off the bottom of the second inning with a double and scored on consecutive wild pitches.
UNCW answered in the top of the fourth with a trio of runs. Smith walked two batters to lead off the frame, and two RBI singles put the Seahawks ahead.
The Tigers tied the game in the bottom of the fifth behind timely hitting. With two aboard and two out, Goodman notched a two-RBI single to even the contest at 3-3.
UNCW plated four in the sixth to build separation before the Tigers plated two in the home half to trim the deficit. Cale Hennemann doubled to drive in a run, while a sacrifice fly from Brooks cut the lead to 7-5.
That would be as close as the Tigers would get to regaining an advantage as UNCW totaled three runs in the seventh and five in the ninth to secure the series-opening win.
Memphis will return to the diamond Saturday afternoon for Game 2 of the series with first pitch from FedExPark slated for 2 p.m.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Crump, Justin (2-0)
L: Smith, Hunter (2-2)
Batting:
2B: Angeli, Doug 1 ; Zayicek, Riley 2
3B: Jones, Greg 1
HR: Bridges, Noah 1
RBI: Meadows, Jackson 1 ; Angeli, Doug 1 ; Baldwin, Brooks 2 ; Jones, Greg 1 ; Brown, Kep 2 ; Suggs, Matt 2 ; Bridges, Noah 5
SH: Angeli, Doug 1 ; Suggs, Matt 1
SF: Baldwin, Brooks 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Meadows, Jackson 2 ; Angeli, Doug 1 ; Weiss, Cole 1 ; Baldwin, Brooks 1 ; Jones, Greg 2 ; Zayicek, Riley 2 ; Roberson, Broadus 1 ; Brown, Kep 3 ; Suggs, Matt 1 ; Bridges, Noah 1
SB: Bridges, Noah 1
CS: Weiss, Cole 1
HBP: Brown, Kep 1 ; Bridges, Noah 1
PO: Suggs, Matt 1
Batting:
2B: Ouellette, Kyle 1 ; Hennemann, Cale 1
RBI: Brooks, Ben 1 ; Goodman, Hunter 2 ; Hennemann, Cale 1
SF: Brooks, Ben 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Brooks, Ben 1 ; Goodman, Hunter 1 ; Ouellette, Kyle 3 ; Stepter, Keith 1
CS: Brooks, Ben 1
HBP: Trela, Alec 1 ; Neel, Colton 1
