Memphis 9 – Ole Miss 4
Snapshot: Memphis scores five in the seventh inning to secure win against Rebels
Memphis 4- Rice 3 (15)
Snapshot: Memphis wins marathon game with Will Marcy single in top of the 15th
Memphis 5 – Rice 4
Snapshot: Garnder and Ellis combined for ten strike outs to fend off Owls
Memphis 2- Rice 1
Snapshot: Five Tigers combined to allow just six hits to achieve series sweep
The Tigers are on a roll, winning all four games this week to bring their record on the season back to .500; including a three-game sweep of Rice. It was the Tigers’ first road sweep since 2012 and moves Memphis into a three-way tie for fourth in the American as conference play ramps up.
The main story from this weekend must be the pitching and defense. In 42 innings of baseball played the Tigers gave up just 12 runs; a spectacular performance that is far better than their season output to this point. Not a single Tiger had a bad outing on the mound, and the pitching staff carried the team throughout the week.
David Warren pitched eight strong innings on Friday an gave Memphis a chance to win, while the bullpen rallied in extra innings to prevent Rice from scoring to give the Tigers’ offense a chacne to win it in the 15th inning. Luke Ellis and Seth Garner was a devastating two man combo on Saturday, then on Sunday the bullpen was able to beat Tuesday’s performance by shutting down the Rice offense and giving up just six hits in the win.
The pitching staff needed to step up this weekend and they certainly did. While it’s not realistic to expect Memphis to pitch like this on a normal basis, the biggest thing from this week is that the staff is capable of winning games. The defense was also a marked improvement; while the team did still commit some of the same mistakes that have plagued them, they in total were much more effective with the glove.
“This weekend it [defense] showed up, I thought we pitched it really well," said Coach Riser Sunday after the sweep of Rice.
While the offense has still been slumping, the quality of the at-bats have been getting back to the level the team say to start the season. “They’re making the pitchers work," said Riser.
While the Tigers only produced one run on Sunday, they also limited their strikeout total to just four; and looked much more composed at the plate throughout the entire weekend. That’ll bode well the rest of the way, and you should see the offense eventually be able to capitalize on their opportunities.
This was a very important weekend for Memphis, from a morale and standings standpoint. The energy seems back in the clubhouse, as the four game win streak should propel a team that so far has been quite momentum dependent. Plus the sweep of Rice puts the Tigers firmly back in the middle of the pack in the conference race, and now means winning one of their three series versus Charlotte, Tulane, and UAB should ensure Memphis at the very least qualifies for the conference tournament.
Player of the Week: IF/P Jake Curtis: 3 Appearances, 2-0, 4.2 IP 4Ks, 4 Hits Allowed, 3-17, 1 HR
The two-way senior put the team on his back this weekend, notching two wins out of the bullpen as well as providing solid defense and hitting a home run. He was recognized with AAC honor roll for his performance, as he was instrumental in helping the team get back on track.
The Tigers go to Conway, Arkansas to face Central Arkansas on Tuesday before returning home this weekend to play the first-place UTSA Roadrunners in a three-game series.
