The University of Memphis baseball team took down Mississippi State in convincing fashion Tuesday at AutoZone Park, defeating the Bulldogs 7-1.
The Tigers took care of business both offensively and defensively in their final performance at the Memphis Redbirds’ stadium this season. Memphis racked up seven runs on nine hits, including two homeruns and six RBIs.
Memphis coach Daron Schoenrock said the key to the victory was making big plays, and taking advantage when Mississippi State failed too.
“I think the difference tonight was they didn’t make a few plays early, on hard hit balls, but plays that can be made in college baseball,” he said. “We made the plays tonight with the exception of we kind of pitched around the error Jake (Overbey) made.”
Redshirt senior Alex Gunn started on the mound for the Tigers. He pitched five shutout innings, before giving up a run in the sixth after a lead-off double and sacrifice fly ball. Throughout seven innings, Gunn threw 61 strikes through 93 pitches.
Freshman Brandon Montgomery led the Tigers at the plate, going 3-4 on the night, including a 2-run triple in the eighth inning. The Second baseman also scored a run of his own from third, after a Mississippi State error.
Coach Schoenrock explained that a few of the team’s seniors have really helped Montgomery’s progress and get past his freshman tendencies.
“Our seniors Tucker (Tubbs), Kane (Barrow) and Jake Little have done a great job bringing Brandon Montgomery along mentally,” he said. “Sometimes it resonates more coming from them. You’re starting to see Brandon now not be a freshman anymore. And at the halfway point on the season, a guy that has played everyday comes up big for us tonight not only offensively, but defensively.”
Though the Tigers scored off of a sacrifice fly ball in the first inning, it wasn’t until the third inning that Memphis really got going at the plate.
With two outs, left fielder Kane Barrow hit a huge double to keep the inning alive. First baseman Tucker Tubbs continued the strong play with a 2-run shot to left-field. Then sophomore right fielder Chris Carrier immediately followed with a homerun of his own, the Tigers’ second straight game with back-to-back homeruns.
Tubbs finished the game 2-4 with two RBIs and two runs.
Coach Schoenrock explained how his team was forced to sit on some pitches and gave credit to a few of his players who have helped the younger guys progress in that area.
“We find ways to press you,” he said. “Their starter tonight was phenomenal at holding the running game, so we couldn’t get out and execute that. We tried to hit-and-run a couple times, but then it just came down to just trying to sit on pitches and we have a few guys trying to learn a little bit about doing that. Kane (Barrow) and Tucker (Tubbs) are advanced at doing that and they are bringing Chris (Carrier) along.”
Schoenrock went on to say that the veterans have played a huge role in their team’s success, not only on the field, but in the dugout as well.
“We’ve got some veteran presence in the lineup now and in the dugout and I think that is a big key that you overlook sometimes—is the contributions and the way guys pick each other up in the dugout and talk about at-bats,” he said.
Schoenrock said he is very pleased with his team and his players’ attitude moving forward.
“I can’t be more happy for the club, the way they are just approaching things,” he said. “Win or lose, I said ‘keep approaching things like you are and good things will happen.’”
The Tigers will now look ahead to a three-game series against conference foe Cincinnati (8-21, 2-4 in conference play). Memphis will travel to Marge Schott Stadium in Cincinnati for the series, which begins Friday at 5:05 p.m.
Cincinnati has struggled so far this season, but they did pick up two victories over No. 18 UCF last week. Coach Schoenrock believes this is still a very talented Cincinnati team and know it will be a tough task to win the series.
“They had a tough, tough haul early, with weather and everything they battled,” he said. “Now they are back home, temperatures aren’t going to be a factor at all. It’s going to be a war.”
Although the Tigers lost two out of three games in Cincinnati last year, Schoenrock said, they will approach it one day at a time.
“I’m thankful now that we are going back to playing, Friday, Saturday and Sunday,” He said. “It gives Blake (Myers) and our relievers two days off now. It gives Craig (Caufield) another day, so we can go in with a loaded bullpen ready for Friday night. Also Caleb (Wallingford) will get back in his normal routine. I expect our starters to be back at full-strength for this and that will be huge.”
Memphis Tiger senior first baseman Tucker Tubbs celebrates with senior outfielder/infielder Kane Barrow during Tuesday’s victory over Mississippi State. Photo by David Minkin
