University of Memphis Athletics
Photo by: Matthew A. Smith
Memphis offense erupts to earn doubleheader split
May 14, 2021 | Baseball
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – After a hotly contested 2-1 loss in the opening game of Friday's doubleheader, the Memphis Tigers used an eight-run seventh inning in game two to split the twin-bill, as they took down the Houston Cougars 13-7. Each team's starting pitcher spun a gem in the opener, as Carson Stinnett (L, 3-5) allowed just two runs over a career-high eight innings, while Houston's Robert Gasser (W, 6-5) struck out 10 and allowed only an unearned run over seven frames in the victory. In the back half of the doubleheader, neither team's starter made it through the fifth inning.
Neither side cracked the scoreboard in the first third of the series opener, as Stinnett faced just one over the minimum through the first three innings while Gasser retired the first seven men that he faced and picked off the only baserunner against him through three frames. Each side struck in the fourth, as Houston (18-27, 6-16) took a 1-0 lead on a two-out RBI single from Steven Rivas, while singles from Hunter Goodman and Alec Trela led to an eventual run for Memphis on a fielding error by Ian McMillan. The Tigers left two runners on base in the inning and has just one man reach scoring position over the rest of the game, as the teams were tied 1-1 after four innings.
The only other run in the series opener came in the seventh inning, as Stinnett allowed three straight one-out hits. Singles from Rivas and Will Pendergrass brought McMillan to the plate, and the shortstop made up for his earlier run-scoring error with an RBI double that proved to be the game-winning hit. Stinnett stranded two runners in scoring position, but Memphis didn't muster any offense against Gasser in the bottom of the seventh or Derrick Cherry (SV, 4) in the eighth or ninth innings. Just two Tigers reached base over the final three frames. Cherry retired the final five batters of the game, which sealed Houston's 2-1 win.
Game two of the doubleheader featured far more offense from both sides and it started immediately, as both teams plated a pair in the opening frame. A two-run triple from Rivas off of Durham put the Cougars ahead 2-0, while Memphis answered on a two-run home run from Goodman, his AAC-leading 17th of the season.
Memphis (15-33, 5-21) took the lead in the second inning on a two-run double by Ian Bibiloni, though the Cougars tied it up two innings later on a home run from Rivas and RBI double from Dylan Post. Tied 4-4 after 3.5 innings, Memphis went back ahead in the bottom of the fourth against Ben Sears (ND) and Colby Casey. An error, a walk, and a bunt single loaded the bases with nobody out and knocked Sears out of the game. Goodman greeted Casey with a sacrifice fly to right field, which put the Tigers in front 5-4, but Memphis got nothing more out of the inning and quickly gave the lead right back.
In the fifth, Brad Burckel led off the Houston frame with a single, while Ryan Hernandez homered two batters later, which put the Cougars in front 6-5. The home run ended Durham's night, as Bailey Wimberley (W, 3-1) got the final two outs of the inning. Wimberley allowed one run on two hits over 3.2 innings out of the Memphis bullpen.
The Tigers took control of the game in the seventh inning, as Houston needed three pitchers to get through the frame. Cameron Prayer retired the first man to bat in the inning, but the next six batters reached base safely. Austin Baskin picked up a pinch-hit RBI triple, Bibiloni greeted Maddux Miller (L, 1-1) with an RBI single, while Trela reached on a fielder's choice that plated a run and made it 9-6 Memphis. After Taylor Howell was hit by a pitch, which loaded the bases, Ben Brooks made it a seven-run inning with a bases clearing double. Brooks later scored on a passed ball, as the Tigers led 13-6 after seven frames. In relief of Wimberley in the ninth, Daniel Casto allowed one inherited runner to score, but retired two of the three batters that he faced, as he secured Memphis' 13-7 win.
Off of the doubleheader split, the Tigers will look to pick up multiple wins in an AAC series for the first time this season, as they host Houston for Senior Day, Saturday at 2 p.m. at FedExPark. The series will conclude Sunday at 11 a.m. and close out Memphis' 2021 home campaign.
Neither side cracked the scoreboard in the first third of the series opener, as Stinnett faced just one over the minimum through the first three innings while Gasser retired the first seven men that he faced and picked off the only baserunner against him through three frames. Each side struck in the fourth, as Houston (18-27, 6-16) took a 1-0 lead on a two-out RBI single from Steven Rivas, while singles from Hunter Goodman and Alec Trela led to an eventual run for Memphis on a fielding error by Ian McMillan. The Tigers left two runners on base in the inning and has just one man reach scoring position over the rest of the game, as the teams were tied 1-1 after four innings.
The only other run in the series opener came in the seventh inning, as Stinnett allowed three straight one-out hits. Singles from Rivas and Will Pendergrass brought McMillan to the plate, and the shortstop made up for his earlier run-scoring error with an RBI double that proved to be the game-winning hit. Stinnett stranded two runners in scoring position, but Memphis didn't muster any offense against Gasser in the bottom of the seventh or Derrick Cherry (SV, 4) in the eighth or ninth innings. Just two Tigers reached base over the final three frames. Cherry retired the final five batters of the game, which sealed Houston's 2-1 win.
Game two of the doubleheader featured far more offense from both sides and it started immediately, as both teams plated a pair in the opening frame. A two-run triple from Rivas off of Durham put the Cougars ahead 2-0, while Memphis answered on a two-run home run from Goodman, his AAC-leading 17th of the season.
Memphis (15-33, 5-21) took the lead in the second inning on a two-run double by Ian Bibiloni, though the Cougars tied it up two innings later on a home run from Rivas and RBI double from Dylan Post. Tied 4-4 after 3.5 innings, Memphis went back ahead in the bottom of the fourth against Ben Sears (ND) and Colby Casey. An error, a walk, and a bunt single loaded the bases with nobody out and knocked Sears out of the game. Goodman greeted Casey with a sacrifice fly to right field, which put the Tigers in front 5-4, but Memphis got nothing more out of the inning and quickly gave the lead right back.
In the fifth, Brad Burckel led off the Houston frame with a single, while Ryan Hernandez homered two batters later, which put the Cougars in front 6-5. The home run ended Durham's night, as Bailey Wimberley (W, 3-1) got the final two outs of the inning. Wimberley allowed one run on two hits over 3.2 innings out of the Memphis bullpen.
The Tigers took control of the game in the seventh inning, as Houston needed three pitchers to get through the frame. Cameron Prayer retired the first man to bat in the inning, but the next six batters reached base safely. Austin Baskin picked up a pinch-hit RBI triple, Bibiloni greeted Maddux Miller (L, 1-1) with an RBI single, while Trela reached on a fielder's choice that plated a run and made it 9-6 Memphis. After Taylor Howell was hit by a pitch, which loaded the bases, Ben Brooks made it a seven-run inning with a bases clearing double. Brooks later scored on a passed ball, as the Tigers led 13-6 after seven frames. In relief of Wimberley in the ninth, Daniel Casto allowed one inherited runner to score, but retired two of the three batters that he faced, as he secured Memphis' 13-7 win.
Off of the doubleheader split, the Tigers will look to pick up multiple wins in an AAC series for the first time this season, as they host Houston for Senior Day, Saturday at 2 p.m. at FedExPark. The series will conclude Sunday at 11 a.m. and close out Memphis' 2021 home campaign.
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