Tigers Fall to Trojans in 10 Innings

Wednesday, February 26

Little Rock, Ark.

3:05 P.M.

University of Memphis

5-3

Little Rock

5-3

Memphis

Little Rock

Photo by: Brock Busick

Feb 26, 2025 | Baseball

Box Score

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The University of Memphis baseball team went on the road for the first time this season and dropped an extra-inning affair to Little Rock, 9-8, in 10 innings on Wednesday afternoon in Little Rock at Gary Hogan Field.

The Tigers dropped to 5-3 overall with the loss while the Trojans improved to 5-3.

HOW IT HAPPENED
• Memphis jumped out to an early lead after scoring three runs in the top of the second inning. Catcher Jonah Sutton started it off with an RBI single to center field before Daniel Perez was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to force home a second run. The Tigers got a third run when Creek Robertson grounded out.
• The Tigers tacked two more runs on to their lead in the fourth, the first coming on an RBI ground out by Perez. Sutton came in to score on a wild pitch later in the inning to make the score 5-0, Tigers.
• Memphis starter Isaac Lucas ran into some trouble in the bottom half of the fourth. After recording two outs, the Trojans drew a bases-loaded walk to get on the board. The Tigers went to the bullpen for Davis Oswalt, but Little Rock drew a second bases-loaded walk before Zach Henry unloaded the bases with a three-run triple to tie the game at five runs apiece.
• The Trojans pushed three more runs across in the sixth to take their first lead of the day, getting an RBI single from Ryan Geck that plated a second run on an error.
• Memphis wouldn't go away easy as they responded for two runs in the very next frame. An RBI ground out by James Smith IV and a two-out RBI single to left field by Shane Cox trimmed the Little Rock lead to a run.
• The Tigers needed a run in the ninth to force extra innings and they got it when Chase Nixon drove in Robertson on a ground out to second base.
• Smith IV moved from center field to the mound to make his debut on the bump for Memphis in the bottom of the ninth. The hard-throwing righty retired three of the first four men he faced to send the game to extras.
• Memphis loaded the bases in the top of the 10^th but was unable to capitalize on the scoring opportunity.
• The Trojans got a one-out single down the left-field line from Geck in the bottom of the 10^th to walk off winners.

NOTABLES
• Robertson had a two-hit day from the nine spot in the lineup. He went 2-for-4 with a double, a walk, a stolen base and a pair of runs scored.
• Shane Cox went 1-for-3 with an RBI, a pair of walks, a stolen base and a run scored.
• Sutton also went 1-for-3 on the day. He walked, drove in a run, stole a base and scored once.
• Nixon finished the day 1-for-5 with an RBI.
• Will Vasseur went 1-for-5 from the leadoff spot and scored once.
• Perez drove in a pair of runs and drew a walk.
• Cy Turner scored twice, walked once and stole his team-leading fourth bag of the season.
• Lucas made his first start as a Tiger and went 3.2 innings, allowing four runs on four hits while issuing a pair of walks.
• Kylan Stepter tossed 1.2 scoreless, hitless innings. He struck out a pair and walked one Trojan.
• Smith IV, the starting center fielder, was tagged with the loss on the mound. He allowed one hit and one run in 1.1 innings, striking out one and walking one.

UP NEXT
• The Tigers stay on the road through the weekend and head to Ruston, Louisiana, for a three-game series at Louisiana Tech (5-3), Friday through Sunday.

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.