
Nine-Run Fourth Powers Tigers to Run-Rule Win Over Little Rock
Mar 05, 2025 | Baseball
The Tigers avenged last week's extra-inning loss to the Trojans in Little Rock in the process, improving to 8-4 overall with the victory. The Trojans slipped to 5-7 on the season with the loss.
"The main message after the weekend was: 'no let down'," head coach Matt Riser said. "I was proud of the guys mentally being focused and locked in on what they needed to do. We got a fantastic start from Isaac Lucas … Offensively, we swung the bat and stayed persistent there after some hard outs early."
HOW IT HAPPENED
• Tiger catcher Jonah Sutton got the scoring started with an opposite-field solo shot to right field to give Memphis a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second inning.
• The Trojans tied the game at a run apiece on a two-out RBI single by Angel Cano in the top of the third.
• Memphis busted the game wide open in the bottom of the fourth when the offense exploded for nine runs on seven hits. James Smith IV got it going with an opposite-field solo home run to right field, giving Memphis a 2-1 lead. The Tigers proceeded to load the bases for right fielder Cy Turner who drew a walk to force in a run. That led to a big blow from shortstop Creek Robertson who doubled down the left-field line to clear the bases and make the score 6-1. Daniel Perez followed that up with an RBI triple before an RBI single from Will Vasseur, RBI double off the left-center field wall by Chase Nixon and an RBI single by Carter McKay made it 10-1, Tigers, to complete the nine-run inning.
• The Trojans were able to get two runs back in the top of the sixth inning on a two-run single by Sammy Harris.
• Left-handed hitting infielder Cade Tucker pinch hit in the bottom of the seventh inning and wasted no time slugging his second big fly of the season and third home run of the day for Memphis.
• Robertson came through with his second run-scoring double of the contest later in the frame to make the score 12-3, Tigers, after seven.
• In the eighth, outfielder Cade Greer drew a walk before stealing second and third base and coming home to score on an errant throw by Little Rock's catcher to give Memphis a 13-3 walk-off win in eight innings.
NOTABLES
• LHP Isaac Lucas made his second start of the season (both against the Trojans) and threw four one-hit, one-run innings. He struck out four and walked three to earn the win and improve to 1-0 on the season.
• The Tigers slugged three home runs in the win (Sutton, Smith IV, Tucker) – two of the opposite-field variety (Sutton, Smith IV).
• The nine-run fourth inning for the Tigers marked the first time scoring nine times in an inning since April 30, 2021, at UCF when they also scored nine times in the fourth.
• Seven of the Tigers' 11 hits on the day went for extra bases.
• Every Tiger (11) who recorded an at-bat scored at least one run.
• McKay had a three-hit day, going 3-for-4 with three singles, an RBI and a run.
• Robertson ended the afternoon 2-for-4 with a pair of doubles, four RBI and a run scored.
• Sutton went 1-for-3 with a solo home run – his first of the season and sixth of his Memphis career. He also scored a pair of runs.
• Smith IV went 1-for-4 with a solo shot for his second long ball of the season.
• Perez ripped his second extra-base hit of the season for a triple and ended the game 1-for-2 with a run scored and a pair of walks.
• Turner didn't record a hit but scored twice and drove in a run thanks to a pair of walks.
• Vasseur and Nixon each recorded a hit and drove in a run. Nixon's RBI gave him a dozen for the season to extend his team lead.
• RHP Charlie Smith threw four innings of relief and earned his first save of the campaign. He ended the day allowing a pair of earned runs on five hits and no walks, striking out three.
UP NEXT
• The Tigers kick off a three-game series with Southeastern Louisiana on Friday afternoon at FedExPark with first pitch vs. the Lions scheduled for 4:05 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.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Lucas, Isaac (1-0)
L: Brown, Malcolm (0-1)
S: Smith, Charlie (1)
Batting:
2B: Pickering, Andrew 2
RBI: Cano, Angel 1 ; Harris, Sammy 2
SH: Willbanks, Reed 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Goeke, Kade 1 ; McGinnis, Aiden 1 ; Martin, Cade 1
SB: Rains, Jackson 1
HBP: Cano, Angel 1

Batting:
2B: Nixon, Chase 1 ; Robertson, Creek 2
3B: Perez, Daniel 1
HR: Smith IV, James 1 ; Tucker, Cade 1 ; Sutton, Jonah 1
RBI: Vasseur, Will 1 ; Nixon, Chase 1 ; Smith IV, James 1 ; Tucker, Cade 1 ; McKay, Carter 1 ; Sutton, Jonah 1 ; Turner, Cy 1 ; Robertson, Creek 4 ; Perez, Daniel 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Vasseur, Will 1 ; Nixon, Chase 1 ; Smith IV, James 1 ; Greer, Cade 1 ; Cox, Shane 1 ; Tucker, Cade 1 ; McKay, Carter 1 ; Sutton, Jonah 2 ; Turner, Cy 2 ; Robertson, Creek 1 ; Perez, Daniel 1
SB: Greer, Cade 2 ; Cox, Shane 1 ; McKay, Carter 1
CS: Sutton, Jonah 1