MEMPHIS, Tenn. – SIUE dropped the second game of a three-game series 9-4 Saturday at Memphis.

The Cougars slipped to 10-7. Memphis is 11-5.

Brett Johnson reached with a one-out infield-single to first before Connor Kiffer doubled to right to put the Cougars on top 1-0. Memphis answered with two runs in the bottom of the inning. Jacob Compton pushed the Tigers' lead to 5-1 with a three-run home run in the third inning.

"Today was a good college baseball game," SIUE Head Coach Sean Lyons said. "We fell behind early and we weren't able to get back in it."

Avery Owusu-Asiedu hit a two-run home run, his sixth of the year, in the fourth to cut the Memphis lead to 5-3, before the Tigers answered again with a run in the bottom half of the inning.

Kiffer picked up another RBI in the sixth, driving in Johnson with his second double of the game to make it 6-4.

"We just weren't able to get a ton of pressure," Lyons said. "(Memphis reliever Blake Wimberly) did a good job of pitching around some hits."

Memphis scored three times in the eighth on three hits, a wild pitch and a bases-loaded walk, for the final margin.

Johnson and Kiffer each finished 2-4. Kiffer and Owusu-Asiedu each had two RBIs.

Collin Baumgartner (2-1) suffered his first loss of the year. He allowed six runs over the first four innings. Kyle Dixon allowed three runs over 3 2/3 innings of relief.

"Kyle Dixon did a good job in relief of Collin," Lyons said. "He kept us within striking distance."

Alex Scherer and Quinn Waterhouse combined to face the final three hitters.

Memphis starter Dalton Fowler (1-1) gave up four runs over five innings for the win. He struck out six.

Compton led the Tigers at the plate he was 2-4 with the homer and three RBIs.

The Cougars and Tigers will play the rubber game of the three-game set Sunday. First pitch is slated for 1 p.m.

"The guys will come out ready to play," Lyons added. "Sunday wins are important. Guys will have a good approach at the plate."