Alex Hicks prepares to pitch. During the Tigers’ game against Mississippi Valley State, Hicks threw seven innings where he gave up two hits, had no runs earned and got his second win of the season.
The Memphis Tigers baseball team extended their winning streak to four games on Tuesday with a 8-1 victory over the Mississippi Valley State Devil Deltas.
Memphis Coach Daron Schoenrock said that production from up and down the line up has made the team successful in the past four games.
“We’re not falling on two or three guys to have to drive runs in,†Schoenrock said. “So we’re getting contributions from all nine guys in there.â€
The Tigers finished the game with 12 hits off seven players. Right fielder Keith Stepter went two for four, finishing with two RBIs.
Stepter said that with runners in scoring position, hitting the ball is the most important thing he can do.
“I’m just literally trying to put a ball in play,†Stepter said. “I choke up on the bat a little bit, I change my mentality as I’m trying to hammer a ball to the right field side.â€
Nick Vaage also came up big with an eighth inning home run to give the Tigers their eighth run of the night. Ben Brooks and Cale Hennemann also had RBI singles on the night.
The Tigers pitchers continued to strive with 12 strikeouts and only gave up two hits. Schoenrock said that their pitchers are weapons.
“We have some quality depth in the pitching staff and we’re starting to settle into some roles,†Schoenrock said. “If a starter ever falters, now we have confidence to make moves and keep games under control. When you have a bullpen like that, you don’t have to ride a starter if his stuff is not good that night.â€
The Tigers pitched Grayson Kemp and Drew Hall from the bullpen to close out the game. Schoenrock said giving bullpen pitchers an opportunity to play is great for the future.
“The two guys we brought out of the bullpen tonight haven’t pitched very much, so it was a good opportunity to get them into a game like that and rest some of our key bullpen guys,†Schoenrock said. “Kemp came in throwing that good breaking ball that he throws, and our last guy is more of a fastball guy with some velocity.â€
Memphis’ starter Alex Hicks threw seven innings, giving up two hits and no earned runs, to earn his second win of the season. Hicks said that a key to a successful outing to is prepare mentally.
“I just go out there and pitch my game,†Hicks said. “I don’t worry about who is in the box or what’s going on around me; I just go out there and play my game.â€
The Tigers record improved to 8-7 on the season. They will hit the diamond again Mar. 15 against the UNC Wilmington Seahawks at 6 p.m. at FedEx Field.
The Seahawks are 10-7 overall and are also currently on a four-game winning streak. They will play host to No. 10 North Carolina on Wednesday prior to making the trip to Memphis to play a three game series against the Tigers over the weekend.
