CLEARWATER, Fla. (Interstat) — Wichita State built an early lead and held off a late Memphis charge, defeating the Tigers 6-4 on Friday in an American Athletic Conference tournament game at Spectrum Field.

The Shockers improved to 27-28, while Memphis dropped to 24-34.

Wichita State scored in four of the first five innings, collecting eight hits. Jones led off the top of the first with a solo home run to left field. Gonzalez added another solo shot to left center in the second inning. The Shockers extended their lead in the third when Duncan singled to left field, driving in Ganter and Washburn for a 4-0 advantage. Gutierrez singled home Jones in the fifth to make it 5-0.

Memphis got on the board in the bottom of the second. Smith IV tripled to right center and scored on a single by Cox. The Tigers managed only one hit over the next four innings against Wichita State starter Caleb Reed, who struck out six in six innings.

The pivotal moment came in the seventh inning. Reed walked McAbee to start the frame, and after two outs, Gupton singled and Cassidy delivered an RBI single to center that cut the lead to 6-2. Amar Tsengeg relieved Reed, but a wild pitch allowed Gupton to score and Cassidy to move to second, making it 6-3. Tsengeg walked Harrington and Marcus Smith to load the bases with two outs. Brady Owens took over and got Rodriguez to line out to left field, stranding three runners.

Wichita State added an insurance run in the eighth. Gutierrez reached on an error, moved to third on a sacrifice bunt and scored on a bases-loaded walk by Gustafson.

Memphis mounted a final threat in the ninth. Marcus Smith led off with a solo home run to center field off Sharp, pulling the Tigers within 6-4. But Sharp retired the next two batters – Rodriguez flied out and Hernandez struck out swinging – to end the game.

Memphis had six hits, led by Gupton’s single and walk. Wichita State’s Gonzalez and Jones each homered. The Shockers’ bullpen combined for three innings of relief, with Owens earning the hold and Sharp the save.

The game was the second meeting of the season series. Wichita State won two of three at Memphis in late March. The Shockers entered Friday having lost four of their previous five games, including a 5-4 defeat at Rice on Thursday. Memphis had won three of its last four, including a 7-3 victory at UAB on Thursday.

Interstat’s game simulator projected a final score of Memphis 6, Wichita State 3. Interstat’s ELO system gave the Shockers a 58.10 percent probability to win.