In a game of drastic momentum swings, Will Marcy hit a walk off RBI single to prevent the Bowling Green comeback and win it 14-13 for the Tigers to even the series.
It was easy for Memphis at first. The Tigers stormed out to a 10-0 lead after four innings thanks to a strong start for Luke Ellis and the Tigers bats backing him up. Through four innings, Ellis allowed zero runs and just two hits in the afternoon. His stuff was electric to begin, and he was able to limit the Falcons offense from getting anything done.
Meanwhile, the Tigers bats had seven hits already in the game including some big blows. Riley Davis hit his first homer of the season into right center to bring the lead to 9-0 in the 4th inning. An RBI grounder by Daunte Stuart scored run number ten as it looked like Memphis was going to cruise to the Saturday win.
Then things started to shift. Nathan Archer was able to hit a grand slam in the fifth by squeaking the ball over the right field wall to get Bowling Green on the board, and after stranding a Pierre Seals leadoff single at first base the Falcons seized all momentum in the game. A single, a walk, and an E6 got the bases loaded with no outs in the top 6th. What followed was an unmitigated disaster for the Tigers: Single, hit by pitch, error, 3 run double, ground out, then a wild pitch scoring a run, followed by a walk. Seth Gardner forced a double play to finally end Memphis’ nightmare, but Bowling Green scored seven runs on just three hits to take an 11-10 lead.
Memphis would score two runs in the bottom of the 6th to retake the lead, but Bowling Green scored in the 7th and the 8th to take a one run lead into the ninth. In the top of the ninth junior reliever Brayden Sanders struck out two to keep the Tigers within striking distance. With one away Pierre Seals drew a walk, then Alex Fernandes beat out a grounder to become the winning run. Riley Davis lined a single between the shortstop and third baseman to tie the game, then Brennan Dubose was walked to load the bases for Jake Curtis. Curtis grounded the ball to third and Fernandes was called out at the plate as the catcher was barely able to get the glove on him before his left foot came down.
That gave junior Will Marcy the task of winning it for the Tigers. And on a 0-1 count he shot a liner into center to easily score Riley Davis and walk off Bowling Green 14-13 to send a raucous crowd home happy. After the game, Memphis players and staff celebrated with the fans at the left field deck to signify their appreciation for sticking with the team throughout a hard-fought battle.
This was a big one for Memphis, as losing another game with a big lead would’ve been a major crush to what’s been a very eventful 2024 season.
“Definitely a game you can swing the momentum. I think opening weekend was in the back of our minds, we got to get out of our minds. Now we’ve won one like that,” said Coach Riser. “I think that gives us more confidence moving forward”.
With the win the Tigers moved to 3-4, but more importantly, they showed that they can win those close dramatic games with good baseball.
