Wimberley spins complete game shutout in 1-0 win

Friday, March 19

Memphis, Tenn.

4 p.m.

University of Memphis

6-7

Middle Tennessee

10-6

Middle Tennessee St.

Memphis

Photo by: Matthew A. Smith

Mar 19, 2021 | Baseball

Box Score

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – With 12 strikeouts and only two walks, Blake Wimberley (W, 1-2) tossed a complete game shutout in Memphis' 1-0 victory over Middle Tennessee State Friday at FedExPark. The Memphis starter set a career high in strikeouts and picked up both his first collegiate complete game and shutout. Wimberley allowed just five men to reach base and faced only three over the minimum.

Memphis (7-7) picked up its third consecutive win and the team's first shutout of the season. Middle Tennessee State (10-6) tallied just three hits, as the Blue Raiders were shut out for the second time in less than a week.

Just one swing from the Tigers gave them the lead and proved to be enough. Ben Brooks led off the bottom of the second inning with a home run, his second home run of the season. For Middle Tennessee State, Aaron Brown (L, 3-1) also pitched a complete game. Brown allowed one run on four hits and struck out 13 over eight innings.

Middle Tennessee State got a one-out single from Fausto Lopez in the opening frame but stranded him at third base. JT Mabry doubled with one out in fifth inning but was likewise left at third base. Jake Hagenow led off eighth inning with a single but was caught stealing. The only other Blue Raiders to reach base were Brett Coker, who walked and was left at second base in the fifth inning, and Lopez, who walked but was caught stealing in the ninth.

The Blue Raiders nearly tied the game on their final swing of the night. With the bases empty and two outs in the top of the ninth inning, DJ Wright drove a 2-1 pitch from Wimberley deep into the right field corner, but Evan Bell secured Wimberley's 1-0 shutout, as he made the catch and crashed into the wall.

Memphis and Middle Tennessee State will follow up Friday's pitcher's duel with a pair of seven-inning games on Saturday. First pitch of game one is set for 1 p.m. at FedExPark. The teams will conclude the series with a single game on Sunday.