Tigers Take Down Rebels, 9-4, at FedExPark Avron Fogelman Field

Tuesday, April 2

Memphis, Tenn.

6 P.M.

University of Memphis

14-17

Ole Miss

18-12

Ole Miss

Memphis

Photo by: Matthew A. Smith

Tigers Take Down Rebels, 9-4, at FedExPark Avron Fogelman Field

Apr 02, 2024 | Baseball

Box Score

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The University of Memphis baseball team defeated Ole Miss, 9-4, at FedExPark Avron Fogelman Field on Tuesday night in front of the fourth-largest crowd in FedExPark history (1,426; opened 2010). The win marked the first in Memphis for the Tigers over the Rebels since 2017, and the first win over Ole Miss on campus since 2001.

The Tigers improved to 14-17 overall (2-4 American Athletic Conference) with the win as the Rebels dropped to 18-12 overall (3-6 SEC).

"I thought it was a great win to start the week," head coach Matt Riser said. "That was probably the most-complete offensive game of the season for us, and I was really proud of our pitching. We had a good atmosphere in the ballpark, and I think that electricity played into our dugout."

HOW IT HAPPENED
• The Rebels got on the board in the top of the first inning when Ethan Lege doubled into the right-field corner to put Ole Miss up 1-0 early.
• Daunte Stuart evened the game at a run apiece with a two-out single in the bottom of the first that drove in Will Marcy.
• Ole Miss regained the lead in the top of the third inning on an RBI groundout, but the Tigers responded right away again with a run in the bottom of the frame. This time, Memphis got a run in the form of a Jake Curtis solo shot – an opposite-field blast for his third of the season.
• Ole Miss' Reagan Burford grounded into a double play in the top of the fourth, but a Rebel came in to score on the play to put them back on top, 3-2.
• The play of the game came in the bottom of the fourth frame when the Tigers executed a double squeeze play to perfection to take a 4-3 lead. With runners at second and third, Marcy got a bunt down to the pitcher to squeeze in the first run, and a blistering Alex Fernandes never broke stride, rounding third and beating the throw home from first base to complete the suicide squeeze.
• Ole Miss tied the game at 4-4 in the top of the seventh on the second RBI double of the game from Lege.
• Memphis broke the game open in the bottom of the seventh and plated five runs to take a commanding 9-4 lead heading into the final two frames. A one-out RBI single by Austin Baskin started the scoring with the second run coming in to score on a passed ball. A two-out double by Jonah Sutton gave the Tigers much needed insurance, and Shane Cox added another insurance run with an RBI single to right field.
• Curtis, who moved from shortstop to the mound for the seventh inning, stayed out for the eighth inning. After serving up a leadoff double, Curtis induced a ground out and punched out the final two Rebels of the frame.
• Closer Brayden Sanders came on to finish it in the ninth and retired the Rebels one-two-three to give Memphis the first win over Ole Miss on campus since 2001.

NOTABLES
• Stuart had a three-hit night with a pair of doubles to add to his conference-leading total (14). He also drove in a run, scored once and stole a bag.
• Baskin went 2-for-5 on the night with his 23^rd RBI and a run scored.
• Cox ended the game 2-for-4 with an RBI.
• Curtis did a little bit of everything in the win, homering in the third and making a slew of great defensive plays at shortstop. He then moved to the mound and ultimately earned the win to improve to 2-1 on the season. He struck out three and allowed one run on three hits.
• Logan Rushing made his second start of the season and went two innings, allowing one run on four hits.
• Jackson Lyons, whose younger brother Trenton started at catcher for Ole Miss, threw two innings of relief and allowed a pair of runs on three hits.
• Brandon Chorzelewski threw two innings of relief and did not allow a run, surrendering just one hit while striking out one Rebel.

UP NEXT
• The Tigers hit the road for Houston, Texas, and a three-game series with AAC newcomer Rice this weekend.

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.