Roper, homers lead Tulane to 9-1 win over Memphis

Hear from Kaleb Roper, who allowed just a run on two hits in 7.0 innings in the win tonight!#RollWave 🌊⚾️ pic.twitter.com/2FpQT1EqlZ

— Tulane Baseball (@GreenWaveBSB) May 12, 2018

NEW ORLEANS – Junior right-hander Kaleb Roper allowed two hits in 7.0 innings and Tulane baseball blasted three home runs in a 9-1 series-opening win over Memphis Friday evening at Greer Field at Turchin Stadium.

Sophomore designated hitter Grant Mathews hit his first career home run in the second inning, and junior center fielder Grant Witherspoon and junior first baseman Trevor Jensen followed with back-to-back homers in the third inning.

Mathews finished with three hits, and Witherspoon, sophomore second baseman Jonathon Artigues and junior left fielder Ty Johnson all tallied two hits. The Green Wave (23-27, 8-11 American Athletic Conference) totaled 12 hits in the game and limited the Tigers (17-33, 3-16 American) to just three hits.

Mathews’ moonshot over the protective netting in right field and well into the Claiborne parking lot tied the game, 1-1, after Memphis scored in the top half of the inning.

The home run parade continued in the third as the Green Wave went back-to-back for the first time this season. Witherspoon hit a two-run rocket off the netting in right field after Artigues singled – his ninth homer of the season. Jensen followed with a solo shot to left – his sixth of the season – to extend the lead to 4-1.

In the fourth, sophomore second baseman Jonathon Artigues drilled a double high off the left center field wall and junior catcher Acy Owen raced around to score from first base and make the score 5-1. Witherspoon roped a 3-0 pitch in the sixth inning to score sophomore shortstop Sal Gozzo and extend the lead to 6-1.

The Green Wave added three runs in the seventh to extend the lead to 9-1. Johnson scored on a balk, then Owen, Artigues and Witherspoon drew consecutive walks, the last two allowing Gozzo and Heinrichs to touch the plate.

Roper finished 7.0 innings, allowing a single run on two hits. He retired the final 10 batters he faced, from the end of the fourth inning through the end of the seventh.

Memphis scored in the top of the second inning when first baseman Kyle Ouellette walked and scored on a double by designated hitter Nick Vaage. Ouellette singled with two outs in the eighth, and it was Memphis’ first hit since shortstop Alec Trela’s double in the third inning. Roper stranded two runners in the second, third and fourth innings, then allowed no baserunners for the next three frames.

Freshman Connor Pellerin and sophomore Robert Price tossed scoreless eighth and ninth innings, respectively, to close the door.

Tulane and Memphis continue the series at 2 p.m. Saturday at Turchin Stadium. A pregame graduation ceremony for graduating seniors Sam Bjorngjeld, Brandon Issa and Matt Rowland will take place on the field prior to the game, beginning at approximately 1:40 p.m.

Saturday is also Bark in the Park, as fans are invited to bring their pups to the game and sit in the right field bleachers. Click here for full details, including required waiver form, ticket deals, giveaways and amenities.

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