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Tigers beat SLU with walk-off hit to tie series

By , Daily Memphian Updated: March 08, 2025 9:01 PM CT | Published: March 08, 2025 7:39 PM CT

Memphis baseball will have a chance to start a season with four straight series wins for the first time since 1994 thanks to a walk-off single by CJ Willis that earned the Tigers a 5-4 victory Saturday in 10 innings over Southeastern Louisiana.

Willis hadn’t made a single plate appearance until his number was called in the final inning with the bases loaded and one out. He singled to right center to bring home James Smith IV and Seth Cox, who scored the winning run with a celebratory dive into home. 

“When you’re coming off the bench to come into the game, you have to keep yourself locked in for (multiple) innings,” Willis said. “I mean, I didn’t get my opportunity until the 10th inning.”

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Memphis Tigers baseball Subscriber Only Matt Riser CJ Willis

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Frank Bonner II

Frank Bonner II

Frank Bonner is the Memphis Tigers football beat writer. He is originally from Indiana but arrived in Memphis after spending two years in Tulsa, covering Oklahoma State football and basketball. He covered high school sports in Columbus, Indiana for two years before getting his Master’s degree in Sports Journalism at IUPUI. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in journalism from Indiana University.


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