Tigers Drop Game One to Lions, 7-4

Friday, March 7

Memphis, Tenn.

4:05 P.M.

University of Memphis

8-5

Southeastern Louisiana

11-2

Southeastern

Memphis

Mar 07, 2025 | Baseball

Box Score

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The University of Memphis baseball team dropped game one of a three-game series to Southeastern Louisiana, 7-4, on Friday night at FedExPark Avron Fogelman Field.

The Tigers moved to 8-5 on the season while the Lions improved to 11-2 and won their fourth-straight game.

"Disappointing loss," head coach Matt Riser said. "We knew it would be a pitcher's duel. For the most part, we did a good job grinding some at-bats early. When you face a guy like that, he's going to get his – but you have to take yours when you can get it … At the end of the day, I figured it would be a well-pitched game and you'd have to try and throw some blows late … Tomorrow is a new challenge and a new opportunity."

HOW IT HAPPENED
• It was evident early that both starting pitchers were on their game as both Memphis RHP Seth Garner and Southeastern RHP Brennan Stuprich retired six of the first seven men they faced, respectively, holding the game at 0-0 after two.
• Garner continued his sharp start by striking out the side in order in the top of the third to give him five punch outs through the first three frames.
• The Tigers struck first when they got a run on a passed ball, allowing shortstop Creek Robertson to score after he led the inning off with a double down the left-field line.
• Garner worked another one-two-three inning in the fourth before the Lions tied the game with a one-out solo shot from Ben Robichaux in the top of the fifth. Garner retired the next two men he faced to keep the game tied at one run apiece.
• Garner breezed through the sixth and struck out his eighth Lion of the game to record the first out of the seventh before the Tigers went to the bullpen for right-hander Seth Cox.
• After Cox entered the game with two men on and one out in the inning, Southeastern's Parker Coley delivered a three-run shot to break the 1-1 tie and put the Lions in front. Lions' first baseman Ryan Brome made it a five-run frame for the Lions later in the inning with a two-run shot to right field.
• The Tigers responded with three runs of their own in the bottom half of the inning. Southeastern walked the bases loaded before lead-off man Will Vasseur came to the plate for the Tigers and promptly unloaded them with a bases-clearing double in the left-center field gap, trimming the Lions' lead to two.
• Southeastern plated one more run in the top of the eighth inning to extend the lead back to three runs. Memphis was unable to rally with its final six outs as the Lions secured the game-one win, 7-4.

NOTABLES
• Garner went a season-long 6.1 innings while matching his career high with eight strikeouts. The junior right-hander from Savannah, Tenn., was charged for three earned runs on six hits with zero walks. He took the loss to move to 1-1 on the season.
• Vasseur went 2-for-3 with three RBI for the game from the lead-off spot.
• Robertson ended the game 1-for-3 with a double, a walk and a pair of runs scored.
• Sutton went 1-for-2 with a pair of walks to extend his hitting streak to seven games.
• Preseason NCBWA Stopper of the Year Watchlist reliever Brayden Sanders made his third appearance of the season and used just six pitches to notch a strikeout and work a perfect ninth inning.
• Seth Cox threw 1.2 innings of relief and was charged with four runs on two hits, allowing three walks and striking out a pair.

UP NEXT
• The Tigers are back tomorrow at 2:05 p.m. for game two with the Lions as Memphis aims to even the series at one game apiece.

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.