Three-run ninth delivers series-clinching win for Tulane

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – A three-run ninth inning helped the Tulane University (18-9-1, 2-0 AAC) earn the series-clinching win over Memphis (12-11, 0-2 AAC) 5-2 on Saturday inside FedExPark Avron Fogelman Field.

Three consecutive singles accompanied by a pair of wild pitches and an error by the Tigers opened the door for the Green Wave to plate three runs in the top of the ninth and take a 5-2 lead it would not relinquish.

Redshirt sophomore Ethan Groff led the way offensively for the Wave going 2-for-4 at the plate including the go-ahead RBI-single in the top of the ninth. With two hits, this marks the 10th multi-hit game of the season for the Orlando, Florida, native.

Bennett Lee and Simon Baumgardt each recorded an RBI in the contest as well with Baumgardt smacking his third home run of the season.

It was a group effort on the bump for Tulane as sophomore left-hander Dylan Carmouche got the start pitching 4.2 innings while allowing two earned runs on five hits and striking out four hitters.

Carter Robinson dealt 2.1 scoreless innings in relief for the Wave while giving up just one hit. Keaton Knueppel and Chandler Welch combined to work a scoreless eighth inning setting up Welch to earn his third win of the year while recording just one out.

The final piece on the bump for the Green Wave was Zach DeVito struck out three to record a scoreless ninth inning and earn his sixth save on the season.

Tulane got the scoring started quickly in the top of the first as Lee brought in the game’s first run driving in Groff on a fielder’s choice.

Memphis responded by plating one run in the bottom of the second and another run in the third to take the lead.

The Green Wave offense went cold over the next few innings until Baumgardt launched a solo home run to left center field on a 1-1 pitch off Memphis starter Dalton Fowler.

With a new pitcher on the bump for the Tigers in the ninth inning, Tulane strung together three-straight one-out singles to take its first lead since the top of the first frame. Groff delivered the go-ahead run with an RBI-single through the left side. A throwing error on a failed pickoff attempt allowed Brady Herbert to score the Wave’s second run of the inning. Moments later Groff scampered home on a wild pitch to put Tulane up 5-2 heading to the bottom of the ninth.

DeVito closed the door on the Tigers in the final frame by working around a one-out single and striking out three batters for a scoreless inning.

UP NEXT: The Green Wave will go for the series sweep over the Tigers on Sunday. First pitch for the series finale is scheduled for 1 p.m.