Houston drops conference baseball opener to Memphis

Photo by Darla Tamulitis-La Vita Loca Photography

By Robert H Kelly
Copyright 2014 TexSport Publications

HOUSTON, TEXAS (March 28, 2014) The Houston Cougars could not overcome an early run by the Memphis Tigers, falling in the first American Athletic Conference baseball game for both teams by the score of 2-1 at Cougar Field on Friday, March 28, 2014.

The Tigers got on the scoreboard in the first inning when lead off hitter Zach Willis scored from third base on a sacrifice bunt by Tucker Tubbs.

Willis reached base on a fielding error by Houston shortstop Frankie Ratcliff.

He advanced to second when Ethan Gross was hit on his first pitch from Cougar starter Aaron Garza.

Memphis scored their second run on a sacrifice by center fielder Jake Little to score third baseman Drew Griffin from third base.

Houston got on the scoreboard in the bottom of the ninth inning on a fielder’s choice by second baseman Josh Vidales to score Caleb Barker.

Caleb Wallingford, pitching seven innings, got his fourth win of the season for the Tigers while Garza, pitching eight complete innings, received his first loss for 2014.

Bryce Beeler, pitching one inning of relief, got the save.

With the loss, the Cougars fall to 20-5 for the season and 0-1 in conference.

The second game of the weekend series will be at 6:35 p.m. on Saturday, March 29.