Tigers rally from four-run deficit in 7-5 win

Saturday, April 17

Memphis, Tenn.

2 p.m.

University of Memphis

12-21, 2-9

Cincinnati

15-17, 4-7

Cincinnati

Memphis

Photo by: Matthew A. Smith

Apr 17, 2021 | Baseball

Box Score

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Down 4-0 after 1.5 innings, the Memphis Tigers struck for a run in the second, another in the third, and four in the sixth, as they rallied from the early deficit and beat the Cincinnati Bearcats 7-5. Ian Bibiloni robbed Eric Santiago of a three-run home run in the sixth to keep the Tigers within striking distance, and then followed with a two-run, single in the home half of the frame that pulled the Tigers within a run.

After early leads in both games of Friday's doubleheader, both losses, the Tigers trailed 3-0 before stepping into the batter's box in the third game of the series. Landon Kelly (ND) retired the first man he faced, but then surrendered five straight singles, as Santiago, Paul Komistek, and Ryan Nicholson each tallied an RBI base hit in succession. An inning later, an RBI double from Joey Bellini made it 4-0 Cincinnati (15-17, 4-7). Kelly allowed four runs on seven hits in two innings.

The Tigers struck in the second and third against Beau Keathley (ND). Evan Bell launched a solo home run in the bottom of the second inning, while Alec Trela made it a two-run game with an RBI single in the third frame. Keathley left in the sixth inning with the lead, but Memphis (12-21, 2-9) got to Dean McCarthy (L, 2-3) in the inning.

With the Cincinnati starter still on the mound, two of the first three Tigers to bat in the sixth reached base, which knocked Keathley out of the game. Bibiloni greeted the McCarthy with a two-run single, which cut the Cincinnati lead to 5-4. After Braden Webb drew a walk, a balk from the McCarthy put men at second and third base for Zach Wilson, who gave the Tigers the lead with a two-run single. Memphis led 6-5 after six innings.

Memphis' bullpen was tremendous in relief of Kelly. Carson Stinnett allowed just one unearned run over 3.1 innings, while Bailey Wimberley (W, 2-0) retired all five batters that he faced. Takoda Metoxen (SV, 3) entered to begin the eighth and struck out three, as he closed out Memphis' 7-5 win.

With a chance to split the series, the Tigers will host the Bearcats at 1 p.m. Sunday for the series finale. Following the finale with Cincinnati, the Tigers will welcome Tulane to FedExPark for a four-game series next weekend. The Green Wave are the only team that Memphis will play two series against, as the Tigers dropped three of four to Tulane to open April.