Memphis drops league opener at Wichita State

Friday, March 22

Wichita, Kan.

6 p.m.

University of Memphis

10-10, 0

Wichita State

10-11, 0

Memphis

Wichita State

Photo by: Kelly Ross

Mar 22, 2019 | Baseball

Box Score

WICHITA, Kan. – Kicking off American Athletic Conference play, Memphis baseball fell 7-3 at Wichita State Friday night at Eck Stadium.

Offensively, the Tigers couldn't capitalize on early momentum. Memphis had the leadoff batter reach base safely in the first seven innings, scoring only in the sixth inning during that streak.

Senior Payton Marshall collected a 2-for-3 night at the plate with a home run and drove in all three Memphis runs. Senior Cale Hennemann and sophomore Ben Brooks also collected multiple-hit efforts, while freshman Hunter Goodman extended his hitting streak to 12 games.

On the mound, senior Hunter Smith was tagged with the loss in six innings of work. Out of the bullpen, Landon Kelly tossed the game's final three innings. The duo combined for nine strikeouts and walked only one batter.

The Shockers posted two runs in the second inning behind four consecutive singles. The home side then plated one run in the fourth and one in the fifth to build a 4-0 advantage before Memphis answered.

Memphis plated a pair of runs in the top of the sixth to cut down the deficit. After junior Alec Trela was hit by a pitch and Hennemann walked, a wild pitch moved them into scoring position for Marshall. The senior connected on a 2-RBI single up the middle to trim the lead to 4-2.

The would be as close as Memphis would come as the Shockers extended the lead with two runs in the bottom of the sixth inning and one in the bottom of the seventh for a 7-2 lead. Marshall then connected on his first home run of the season in the eighth inning to set the 7-3 final.

Game 2 of the series is set for 2 p.m. Saturday.