MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Memphis Baseball beat Wichita State 11-10 on Saturday in what was their final game of the season and the first with Matt Riser at the helm.
Heading into the final regular season series against the Shockers, there was a chance the Tigers could make the AAC Tournament. They needed to win at least two of the three games and get some help from other teams.
Memphis lost Thursday's series opener 14-1 which meant they had to win the final two games to still have a chance. The loss also stirred some very choice words from Riser, "Any guy that has the ability to return, I will cut you at the exit meeting if you give up and quit. I'm going to make sure this culture is changed and we will not quit."
The Tigers clearly took those words to heart and on Friday battled the Shockers in the longest game in program history — a 12-10 loss that spanned 13 innings and lasted 5 hours and 58 minutes.
The loss seemingly put an end to any postseason tournament play and meant Saturday's series finale against the Shockers would also act as the team's final game of the season.
The Tigers avoided the sweep and sent the seniors out on a high note with an 11-10 win over Wichita State.
"We got down by four runs early, and it's easy to mail it in after a six-hour game the night before, but they knew it was the last one," Riser said. "The seniors stepped up. Daunte Stuart throws the big blow to get us back in it, then it was back and forth before Tyler Heckert came through to tie it with the big home run. Riley Davis comes up with a big swing to give us the lead late and then Pierce Leavengood finds a way to move the baseball and get us a very important insurance run. Then, for Jake Curtis to make the final play — a guy who left it all out there the entire time — I wouldn't have it any other way."
The Tigers honored 11 seniors before the game and finish the season 23-32 overall and 10-17 in the American Athletic Conference.