BOX SCORE I PLAY-BY-PLAY

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Host Memphis exploded for six runs, all with two outs, in the bottom of the third to blow the game open as the Tigers defeated the Eastern Kentucky University baseball team, 11-2, on Saturday night in the Memphis Baseball Classic at FedExPark.

With the loss, EKU drops to 3-6 on the year while the win improves Memphis to 6-2.

Sophomore right-hander Anthony Bazzani (0-3) started on the hill for EKU and got the loss, going just 2.2 innings and allowing eight runs on six hits. Lefty Ryan Holland (2-1) earned the win for Memphis as he worked seven innings and allowed just two runs on six hits.

The game developed poorly for the Colonels from the get-go as junior Richie Rodriguez, batting a team-best .545 on the year, left the game in the bottom of the second after taking a ball to the face while trying to field a pop-up in the lights.

In the bottom of the third, Memphis, who was already leading 2-0, staged a two-out, six-run rally to blow the game open. Despite surrendering an early-inning double, Bazzani was one out away from escaping the inning unscathed, but he hit two straight batters to load the bases and then walked in a run. The Tigers took advantage of Bazzani’s wildness as they proceeded to string together three consecutive hits – a two-run single by T.J. Rich, a two-run triple by Rick Russell and an RBI single by Robby Graham – to make it 8-0.

After Memphis added another run in the bottom of the fourth, EKU finally got on the board in the top of the sixth when senior Ryan Faidley laced an RBI single into right center that scored senior Bryce Labhart. The Colonels made it 9-2 in the top of the seventh after freshman Steve Ferraro picked up his first collegiate hit, a double down the left field line, and then came home on a base hit by freshman Alex Arovits.

The Colonels conclude play at the Memphis Baseball Classic when they face Oral Roberts tomorrow at 1:00 p.m. EST.