Thrilling Walk-Off Win Sees Memphis Baseball Clinch Series Over Wright State
In what could only be described as a roller-coaster of a contest, the Memphis Baseball team delivered a stunning performance to clinch their series against Wright State with a nail-biting 13-12 victory at FedExPark Avron Fogelman Field. Austin Baskin emerged as the hero, driving in the winning run to give the Tigers a second consecutive Saturday walk-off win.
The Tigers, now sitting at a 7-5 record, have hit a stride, marking their first three-game win streak of the season. Memphis’ resilient spirit was on full display as they battled through the game’s highs and lows to secure the win.
Early Offensive Surge and Comeback Heroics
Memphis showed their offensive prowess right out of the gate, scoring three runs in the opening inning. Jake Curtis sparked the offense with a double and was promptly brought home by a Will Marcy single. The early rally was capped off by a two-run homer from Jacob Compton, setting the tone for what would be a high-scoring affair.
However, the Raiders responded with an 8-3 lead by the fifth inning, putting pressure on the Tigers to mount a comeback. And respond they did. Baskin kickstarted a rally with an RBI single, and Compton continued his explosive performance with a three-run homer to even the score at 8-all.
The Tigers surged ahead in the sixth, capitalizing on a Wright State error and adding runs through smart plays and situational hitting. But the Raiders clawed back, setting up a dramatic ninth inning where Memphis found themselves down by one.
Ninth-Inning Drama and Walk-Off Magic
With the game on the line, Brennan DuBose‘s infield single and subsequent stolen base set the stage for a wild pitch that allowed him to score the tying run. The stage was set for Curtis, who doubled to keep the inning alive. Then, in a moment that will be etched in Memphis baseball lore, Baskin delivered a clutch RBI single to secure the walk-off win and the series.
Standout Performances
Jake Curtis was a force both at the plate and on the mound, going 3-for-3 and reaching base six times, showcasing his versatility by earning the win as a pitcher in the final inning. Austin Baskin’s hot streak continued, going 3-for-5 and driving in the game-winning run, a testament to his clutch hitting in critical moments. Jacob Compton’s power-hitting was on full display, as he went 3-for-3 with two homers and five RBIs, leading the team in home runs.
Tigers head coach, Matt Riser, would have this to say following the series-clinching win.
“I think the impressive part for our club is that we’re learning and there’s no quit,” “We went up early, got down in the middle, got back up, then back to even, and then found a way to walk it off. It was good to see a full team effort to get a quality series win over a regional-caliber club like Wright State.“
Pitching Highlights
Seth Cox provided a vital 2.1 innings of relief, holding the Raiders to one hit and no runs, keeping Memphis in the game. Luke Ellis, despite a challenging start, managed to strike out four in his four innings on the mound. Kylan Stepter shut down the Raiders in the eighth, adding two strikeouts to the tally.
Looking Ahead
The Tigers, brimming with confidence, look to ride the momentum into Sunday’s series finale. A sweep of Wright State would not only bolster their record but also send a strong message to their regional rivals. The action continues at FedExPark Avron Fogelman Field at 1 p.m., where Memphis aims to sweep a talented Raiders program.
