MEMPHIS, Tenn. – In a milestone night at AutoZone Park, the Memphis Tigers upended Mississippi State in what was Coach Daron Schoenrock’s 400th career victory.
The Tigers (13-25) held the Bulldogs to just one run on five hits on the backs of pitchers Connor Alexander and Hunter Smith.
Alexander put together his best outing in more than a calendar year, pitching six solid innings with just one run allowed. Alexander picked up the win and allowed four hits and two walks with three strikeouts.
Smith came out of the bullpen into a jam in the seventh, getting the Tigers out unscathed. He went on to pitch the final three innings, without allowing a run and earned his second save of the season.
Alec Trela had a big day at the plate, with a career-high tying 4-for-4 day with two RBI and two runs scored. Trela hit a home run and two doubles in the game.
The sophomore shortstop blasted the Tigers into the lead in the second inning with a solo home run to left field. The home run gives Trela the team lead with four this season.
The Tigers tacked on another run in the third inning to go up 2-0 on the Bulldogs. Ben Brooks walked with one out to start the rally and Carlos Williams doubled to move Brooks to third base. Cale Hennemann followed with a sacrifice fly to drive in Brooks.
Mississippi State got a run across in the seventh inning but the Tigers and Smith were able to get out of a tough spot with a 2-1 lead still intact. Smith came into the game with two runners on base and nobody out but pitched out of the jam.
The Tigers used the momentum from Smith’s escape in the top of the seventh to plate four runs in the bottom half to extend the lead out to 7-1.
Memphis loaded the bases with one out before Mississippi State went to the bullpen. Tyler Webb drove in the first run of the inning with a sacrifice fly.
Trela then doubled for the second time in the game to drive in Brooks, and Colton Neel followed with a two-run single to center field.
COURTESY: Univ. of Memphis
