Tigers Drop Game Two to Set Up Sunday Rubber Match with Lions

Saturday, March 15

Memphis, Tenn.

6:05 P.M.

University of Memphis

10-8

Lindenwood

9-11

Lindenwood

Memphis

Photo by: Eli Parker

Tigers Drop Game Two to Set Up Sunday Rubber Match with Lions

Mar 15, 2025 | Baseball

Box Score

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The University of Memphis baseball team dropped game two of a three-game weekend series to Lindenwood, 5-3, on Saturday night at FedExPark Avron Fogelman Field.

The Tigers moved to 10-8 on the season while the Lions improved to 9-11 overall.

"Our inconsistency offensively allows us to put ourselves in positions like this," head coach Matt Riser said. "We did a good job in the first three innings and then started giving away outs … We have to be better on offense."

HOW IT HAPPENED
• The Lions got on the board first for the second day in a row in the top of the first inning on a two-out wild pitch by left-handed starter David Case.
• In the bottom half of the first, center fielder James Smith IV went opposite field for a solo home run – his second day in a row leaving the yard – to tie the game at one run apiece.
• The Tigers took the lead in the bottom of the third when Chase Nixon mashed his fourth home run of the season – a no-doubt solo shot to deep right field.
• Lindenwood's Sam Grunberg put the Lions back in front with a two-run shot off Case in the top of the sixth to make the score 3-2, Lions.
• LHP Logan Rushing entered in relief of Case after the lefty starter went 5.1 innings and allowed three runs on seven hits, walking just one and striking out six.
• Nixon tied the game for the second time on the night in the bottom of the seventh when he singled to right field to score third baseman Cy Turner.
• After recording a pair of outs in the eighth inning, Rushing was tagged for the only hit he allowed over his 2.2 innings of work. Grunberg connected for his second two-run home run of the game – this one giving the Lions a 5-3 lead.
• RHP Will Howell entered for the ninth and threw a perfect inning, striking out the side on 17 pitches.
• After a one-out single by Turner in the bottom of the ninth, the Tigers were unable to complete the rally and fell 5-3 to the Lions.

NOTABLES
• Turner went 2-for-4 from the nine spot in the lineup to record his second-straight multi-hit game and give him five hits in the series. He also scored a run.
• Smith IV homered for the second-straight game in the first inning to grow his season total to four.
• Nixon also hit his fourth long ball of the campaign. He ended the night 2-for-4 from the lead-off spot with a pair of RBI, a walk and a run scored.
• Cade Greer made his first start of the season and ripped a double down the left-field line in his first at-bat.
• Cade Tucker ended the night 1-for-4 with a single.
• Rushing was tagged with the loss to go to 0-1 on the season after allowing a pair of runs on one hit (3 K, 2 BB).
• Howell was perfect in his only inning of work, striking out the side and lowering his season ERA to 1.17.
• Director of Operations Al Woods reached a prestigious milestone as today marked his 1,000^th game in his role with the Memphis Tigers.

UP NEXT
• The Tigers and Lions are back at FedExPark tomorrow at 1:05 p.m. for the series finale and rubber match.

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.