The Memphis Tigers returned to FedEx Park over the weekend for a three-game series with Dayton. Coming off a disappointing 5-3 road loss at Central Arkansas that dropped their record to 1-3, they were eager to get back on the winning track against the Flyers.
In Friday night’s opener, a 7-2 Tigers win, Memphis did a good job of maximizing their opportunities. Despite tallying four less hits than the visitors, they rolled a weekend-opening victory behind an all-around effort. The three-headed monster of Ben Brooks, Hunter Goodman and Alec Trela did its usual thing, accounting for three of the team’s six hits and 2 RBI. Junior center fielder Zach Wilson also got in on the fun, also recording two hits. Getting consistent production outside the top of the lineup would be a huge boost for this young Tiger offense.
Saturday, in a much tighter contest, Memphis would have to lean on its pitching to keep it close. Flyers pitcher Ben Olson dominated through six innings, only allowing one hit, but a late Tigers surge would make it all for naught. After Nick Jones’ solo homerun in the seventh evened the score at one, Ian Bibiloni’s shot in the ninth evened the game at two. Two outs later, Zach Wilson’s base hit brought freshman Jaylon Wilbon in for the series-clinching 3-2 win in dramatic walk-off fashion.
Sunday, with the series already wrapped up, they would have the opportunity to go for the weekend sweep and build some much-needed early-season confidence. They would go on to pick up where they left off Saturday, throttling the Flyers in a 9-2 sweep-clinching win. Ben Brooks and Hunter Goodman both added to their homerun totals, each tallying their third of the year, respectively.
It was a strong three days for the Tigers pitching staff. Friday, the trio of starter Danny Denz, Bailey Wimberly and Reed Harding combined to only allow 10 hits, matching the total that the visitors would accumulate the rest of the weekend. Carson Stinnett pitched 5.2 solid innings Saturday, only giving up one run while Tekoda Metoxen would go on to pick up his first win of the new season. Sunday, the duo of Blake Wimberly and Logan Walters combined to only give up four hits in the suffocating sweep-deciding victory.
Brooks continues to shine. His .375 batting average and 9 RBI are both good for first on the team through seven games. Along with Goodman, the junior shortstop has cemented his role as a centerpiece on this offense. Moving forward, as they continue to figure out the pitching rotation, it will be crucial that other players continue to step up and shoulder the load around them for the offense to enjoy sustained success.
The home stand will continue this weekend with another three-game series with Western Illinois (0-6). The Leathernecks have had a rough start to 2020, getting swept by both Tennessee and Butler prior to the upcoming series at FedEx Park. Daron Schoenrock’s team will surely be hoping for a repeat of last weekend as they continue to try to stack nonconference wins.
First pitch of the series with Western Illinois is set for 4 p.m. Friday at FedEx Park.
