MEMPHIS, Tenn. (3/20/12) - Memphis junior Michael Wills went the distance on the mound, limiting Arkansas State (11-9) to just four hits as the Red Wolves suffered a 7-1 loss to the Tigers (9-11) Tuesday night in non-conference baseball action at FedExPark.
Wills struck out four and walked three to move to 1-0 on the season. By contrast, Arkansas State used eight pitchers in the game, one each inning, with sophomore Cody Woodhouse starting and taking the loss after giving up a single run in the first.
Memphis used a single from designated hitter Eli Hynes to drive in a first-inning run before the Tigers got an RBI double from center fielder Ford Wilson and a two-run single from left fielder Adam McClain in the second to build a 4-0 advantage.
The Tigers added a run in the fifth when Hynes got aboard when hit by a pitch and eventually scored on a passed ball, and back-to-back solo home runs from McClain and Hynes in the sixth stretched the Memphis lead to 7-0.
Arkansas State put a run on the board in the seventh when catcher Stuart Levy bounced a double off of the left-center wall to score left fielder Logan Uxa from first, but Wills, who threw 136 pitches on the night, allowed two baserunners in the eighth and one in the ninth to put the game away.
Right fielder Anthony Hecht went 2-for-3 to lead ASU at the plate while McClain, Hynes and third baseman Jacob Wilson all went 2-for-4 for Memphis.
The Red Wolves will return to action March 23 when ASU opens a three-game Sun Belt Conference series in Lafayette, La. against the Ragin' Cajuns of ULL. Friday's game is scheduled for 6:00 p.m., Saturday's first pitch is set for 2:00 p.m. and Sunday's finale will get underway at 1:00 p.m.
NOTES
- - Freshman catcher Stuart Levy now has 11 hits on the season, five of which are doubles. He also has one triple.
- - Arkansas State used a season-high eight pitchers in the game.
