Tigers Drop Game One to Roadrunners at FedExPark

Friday, April 12

Memphis, Tenn.

6 P.M.

University of Memphis

UTSA

Outfielder Pierre Seals (13) during the Memphis vs. Flordia Atlantic University Baseball game on 03282024.

Photo by: Matthew A. Smith

Apr 12, 2024 | Baseball

Box Score

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The University of Memphis baseball team fell in game one of a three-game American Athletic Conference series, 9-6, to conference-newcomer UTSA on Friday night at FedExPark Avron Fogelman Field.

The Tigers dropped back under .500 on the season, falling to 17-18 overall (5-5 AAC) with the loss as the AAC-leading Roadrunners improved to 20-14 overall (8-2 AAC).

"Overall, I thought Dave [Warren] had a good outing against a good offense," head coach Matt Riser said. "I thought we did a good job of handling [their lineup], we just have to play better defense. I told the guys they did a good job of fighting. Everything was brewing for the right comeback after being down four, we just needed to take that one last step forward."

HOW IT HAPPENED
• A sac-fly by designated hitter Jacob Compton plated the game's first run in the bottom of the first to give Memphis a 1-0 lead.
• UTSA evened the score in the top of the second inning with a one-out RBI single back up the middle by Mason Lytle.
• The Roadrunners took their first lead of the game in the top of the fourth with a sac-fly to left field by Alexander Olivo. UTSA added on in the sixth with a three-run frame. Olivo drove in his second run of the game to give the Roadrunners a 3-1 advantage, and then Diego Diaz's one-out single through the left side made it a 5-1 game.
• In the bottom of the sixth, Pierre Seals went opposite-field with two outs in the inning for a two-run shot – his eighth of the season – to put the Tigers within two runs.
• Brennan DuBose led off the bottom of the seventh inning with a solo shot to deep left field to put Memphis within a run. The big fly marked the sixth of the season for the senior backstop.
• Seals came back up in a big moment in the bottom of the eighth inning. With two outs again, Seals delivered a single to left field that allowed Daunte Stuart to come around and score all the way from first thanks to an error by the Roadrunner left fielder, tying the game at five runs apiece.
• In the top of the ninth, UTSA used a leadoff walk, three hits and three Tiger errors to retake the lead with a four-run frame.
• The Tigers scratched back for a run in the bottom of the ninth on a sacrifice fly by Jake Curtis, but that was all Memphis would get as it dropped game one of the series, 9-6.

NOTABLES
• Seals went 2-for-4 with his eighth home run of the year – good for second-most on the team. He drove in a pair and scored once.
• Baskin ended the night with a pair of hits and a walk, also scoring a run.
• DuBose hit his sixth long ball of the campaign and scored twice.
• Will Marcy slugged his eighth double of the year, scored a run and stole his 10^th base of the season.
• Seth Cox and Stuart both tallied a hit in the loss.
• RHP David Warren made his ninth start of the season and went 4.2 innings, striking out five and allowing just one earned run on nine hits. He did not factor into the decision.
• Lefty JT Durham threw 3.1 innings of relief and allowed just one earned run on four hits and struck out three Roadrunners.
• Closer Brayden Sanders was tagged with the loss to go to 1-2 on the year after surrendering four runs (one earned) on three hits and a walk.

UP NEXT
• The Tigers are back at FedExPark tomorrow for game two with the Roadrunners with first pitch scheduled for 2 p.m.

How to follow the Tigers: For complete information on Memphis Tiger Baseball, visit www.GoTigersGo.com and follow the team's social media channels on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.