Home Runs from Goodman and Trela not enough in 5-4 loss to Baylor

Friday, March 5

Waco, Texas

6:30 p.m.

University of Memphis

4-2

Baylor

4-4

Memphis

Baylor

Photo by: Matthew A. Smith

Home Runs from Goodman and Trela not enough in 5-4 loss to Baylor

Mar 05, 2021 | Baseball

Box Score

WACO, Texas – The Memphis Tigers used the long ball in the first of four games against the Baylor Bears, but solo home runs from Hunter Goodman and Alec Trela were not enough, as the Tigers fell 5-4.

For the second straight game, the Tigers scored in the opening half inning. Much like they did on Tuesday against Ole Miss, Memphis (4-2) put one on the board early on a pair of hits. Jaylen Wilbon led off the game with a single and scored two batters later on a double from Ian Bibiloni. Despite the early offensive success against Blake Helton (W, 1-1), the Tigers didn't get to the Bears' starter again until the sixth inning.

Baylor (4-4) very quickly followed in the steps of Ole Miss, as like the Rebels did on Tuesday, the Bears put up a crooked number early against Memphis. Blake Wimberley (L, 0-1) struggled in the opening frame, as the Bears sent eight men to the plate. A single from Andy Thomas tied the game, while two batters later, Davion Downey made it 3-1 Baylor with a two-run single. Wimberley settled in after a tough first inning, as the Memphis starter allowed just two more runs over 6.2 innings.

Trailing 4-1 after five frames, the Tigers put up a single run in each of the next three innings. Goodman's solo home run in the sixth pulled the Tigers within two, while Trela's solo blast in the seventh inning made it 4-3 in favor of Baylor. The Bears pushed the lead back to two runs on an RBI single from Esteban Cardoza-Oquendo in the home half of the frame, as Baylor led 5-3 after seven.

After six innings from Helton, the Bears turned to the bullpen in search of the final nine outs. Jacob Ashkinos surrendered the home run to Trela, while Memphis tagged Ryan Leckich for a run in the eighth that pulled the Tigers within one. Baylor brought in Luke Boyd (SV, 1) in search of the four-out save, and the Bears' closer got the final out in the eighth inning before a somewhat adventurous final frame. In the ninth, Zach Wilson picked up a one-out single for Memphis, but Boyd escaped, as Trela struck out swinging while Wilson got caught trying to steal second base. Baylor took the opener of the four-game series 5-4.

Memphis and Baylor will turn around quickly and set up for a Saturday doubleheader. First pitch of game one is set for 2 p.m. on ESPN+. The teams will conclude the series with a 1 p.m. first pitch on Sunday.