University of Memphis Athletics
University of Memphis
Toledo
Tigers to Face Toledo in Opening Day Matchup
Feb 12, 2026 | Baseball
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The University of Memphis baseball team opens the 2026 season with a series against Toledo this weekend at FedExPark Avron Fogelman Field, with Friday's first pitch set for 4:05 p.m. All three games of the series will be broadcast on ESPN+.
This will be just the second meeting between the two programs, with Toledo claiming an 8-6 victory in the previous matchup in the 2010 College Baseball Classic.
Senior two-way player James Smith IV is back in action for the Tigers after an injury-shortened 2025. The Olive Branch, Mississippi native was the 433rd overall pick in the 14th round of the 2025 MLB Draft by the New York Mets. In 2025, he was named to the John Olerud Two-Way Player of the Year Award Watch List after posting a .277 average, .792 OPS, 12 extra-base hits, 19 RBI, eight stolen bases and five innings of pitching work with two strikeouts. Smith played in 29 games before an injury ended his season.
Infielder Shane Cox and pitcher Brayden Sanders were selected to the American Conference's Preseason All-Conference Team on December 30th. Cox is set to return for his fifth season with the Tigers and is Memphis' returning leader in every major offensive category, hitting .286 in 2025 with 20 extra-base hits, 31 RBI and eight stolen bases. Sanders is coming off consecutive seasons as Memphis' saves leader, including a 2024 campaign where he led the American and was ranked within the top 20 nationally with nine saves.
The Memphis pitching staff improved over the 2025 season, combining for a 5.09 ERA (468.1 IP) to rank fourth in The American and 75th nationally. In 2024, the Tigers combined for a 6.62 ERA.
Memphis welcomes Toledo, who reached the MAC Tournament Championship game for the third time in program history in 2025. The Rockets won their last five MAC series, going 12-3 in their last 15 games. Toledo was picked fourth in the Mid-American Conference preseason poll.
The Tigers opening rotation consists of RHP Seth Garner, RHP Will Howell and LHP David Case. Garner returns as the Tigers' leader in innings pitched last year with 75.2. Sunday starter David Case tallied 63 strikeouts in the 2025 campaign and will look to continue that momentum into the 2026 season.
Toledo will roll out RHP Brady Sasse, RHP Nathan Leininger and RHP Ryan Hughes. Sasse was the 2025 Mid-American Conference Freshman Pitcher of the Year, totaling an ERA of 3.51. Leininger and Hughes will round out the Rockets weekend rotation, after both coming out of the bullpen in 2025.
Tickets for the 2026 season can be purchased using THIS LINK.
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