Tigers Drop Series Opener to Houston

Friday, April 21

Memphis, Tenn.

6 P.M.

University of Memphis

19-19, 3-7

Houston

22-16, 7-3

Houston

Memphis

Photo by: Matthew A. Smith

Apr 21, 2023 | Baseball

Box Score

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The University of Memphis baseball team fell to Houston in game one of a three-game American Athletic Conference series, 8-0, on Friday night at FedExPark Avron Fogelman Field

With the setback, Memphis goes to .500 for the first time (19-19, 3-7 AAC) this season. The Cougars improved to 22-16 (7-3) on the year with the win.

"Very disappointing loss," head coach Kerrick Jackson said. "We have to do a better job of coaching them up and getting them to play better as we progress through the rest of the season."

HOW IT HAPPENED
• Houston used a trio of two-run innings (first, third, sixth) and a run apiece in the second and fourth innings to build its 8-0 lead.
• The Cougars got a dominant start on the mound from right-handed pitcher Josh Ekness, who went seven innings while allowing just one Tiger hit and issuing three walks, striking out six to earn the win.
• Cameron Benson led off the second inning with a single through the right side of the infield for the Tigers' lone hit of the night.
• In the seventh, Memphis turned a 9-2-5-6 triple play to get out of the inning unscathed when Austin Baskin caught the first out in right field. He then fired the ball home to Jonah Sutton, who threw to Logan Kohler at third base to tag the runner retreating to third before getting the second runner in a rundown that ended with a tag out by Tyler Heckert. It was the first triple play turned by the Tigers since April 4, 2019 at UConn.
• Houston reliever Maddux Miller earned a three-inning save in relief of Ekness, throwing three hitless innings while striking out five and walking one.

NOTABLES
• Benson ended the night 1-for-4.
• Anthony Hansen drew a pair of walks from the lead-off spot to add to his team-leading total of 25.
• Sutton also walked twice in the game.
• The Tigers used seven pitchers in the loss. Carson Stinnett was tagged with the loss, starting the game and allowing two runs in one inning of work.

UP NEXT
• The Tigers are back at FedExPark Avron Fogelman Field for game two with the Cougars tomorrow. First pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m. with left-hander Dalton Fowler expected to make the start on the hill for the Tigers.

How to follow the Tigers: For complete information on Memphis Tiger Baseball, visit www.GoTigersGo.com and follow the team's social media channels on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.