Trela propels Tigers to 4-2 Sunday victory

Sunday, March 14

Memphis, Tenn.

2:30 p.m.

University of Memphis

6-7

Miami (OH)

7-7

MIAMI

Memphis

Photo by: Matthew A. Smith

Mar 14, 2021 | Baseball

Box Score

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Behind three hits from Alec Trela, including a solo home run, as well as strong pitching, the Memphis Tigers earned a 4-2 win over Miami (OH) in the series' rubber match on Sunday. Landon Kelly (W, 2-1) allowed just one run on six hits over 5.1 for the Tigers, while the Memphis bullpen followed with 3.2 innings of one-hit relief. The Tigers picked up consecutive victories after they were shut out in the series opener on Friday.

The Sunday matinee was a pitcher's duel throughout. Kelly worked around at least one baserunner in each of the first four innings, while Tyler Bosma (L, 1-1) stranded three men in scoring position over the first three frames.

Memphis (6-7) struck first, as Trela led off the fourth with a single. After Bosma struck out the next two hitters, Zach Wilson drew a walk. With two on and two outs, Evan Bell connected with a two-strike, two-run double to centerfield, which put Memphis in front 2-0. Bosma allowed two runs on four hits over five innings for the RedHawks (7-7).

Kelly didn't surrender anything more than a single until the fifth inning, when Brian Zapp cut the Memphis lead in half with a solo home run. Michael Morissette followed with a base hit, but Kelly retired the next two hitters and stranded the tying run on base. In the sixth, a single and a walk knocked Kelly out of the game, but Reed Harding retired Jacob Hensor and Tyler Wardwell in order as he stranded the tying run on base.

The Tigers added to the lead with a single run in both the sixth and seventh innings. Logan Schmitt relieved Bosma to begin the sixth inning and Trela greeted him with a leadoff home run. An inning later, Braden Web tallied a one-out single, stole second base, moved to third base on a single from Jaylen Wilbon, and scored on a groundout from DH Ian Bibiloni. Memphis led 4-1 after seven innings.

Walker Brockhouse relieved Harding to start the seventh inning for the Tigers and spun two perfect frames. Takoda Metoxen (SV, 2) allowed a run on a double, an error, and a groundout in the ninth, but kept the tying run from stepping to the plate, as he closed out Memphis' 4-2 win.

Memphis will look to make it three straight wins at home, as the Tigers host Middle Tennessee State for a four-game series that begins on Friday. The teams will follow with a doubleheader on Saturday and a single game on Sunday. First pitch Friday is at 6 p.m. at FedExPark.