Cox’s Walk-off Double Lifts Memphis to Extra-Inning Victory

Saturday, February 14

Memphis, Tenn.

11:05 a.m.

University of Memphis

1-1

Toledo

1-1

Toledo

Memphis

Cox’s Walk-off Double Lifts Memphis to Extra-Inning Victory

Feb 14, 2026 | Baseball

Box Score

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The University of Memphis baseball team needed 10 innings and a Shane Cox walk-off double to tie the series with Toledo at FedExPark Avron Fogelman Field on Saturday afternoon.

Several Tigers came up big down the stretch as Memphis tied the game in the bottom of the ninth before falling behind again in the top of the tenth. Memphis would prevail in the bottom of the tenth inning, loading the bases for Cox to bring home the tying and winning runs.

The Tigers will play a decisive game three tomorrow at 1:05 p.m. against the Rockets.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Redshirt sophomore RHP Will Howell came out dealing, striking out three batters in his first inning of work.
Memphis got on the scoreboard first in the bottom of the second when Shane Cox walked, advanced to second on a balk, advanced on a dropped third strike, and finally came in to score on a Webb Watson groundout.
Watson would collect his first hit of his collegiate career in the fourth inning, a massive 403-foot homer.
Charlie Smith inherited two runners from Howell in the top of the fifth but collected two groundouts to come away unscathed.
The Rockets tied the game in the sixth inning, scoring two runs after loading the bases with no outs.
Toledo threatened again in the seventh, putting a runner in scoring position with one out, Luke Walton singled through the left side and Troy Sudbrook attempted to score from second, but Webb Watson cut him down after a perfect throw from left field.
In the ninth inning, Toledo broke through and took a 3-2 lead after Sudbrook hit an RBI double.
Cox hit a leadoff double in the bottom of the ninth and sent the game to extra innings after Michael Gupton's single up the middle.
Cole Cahill hit a sacrifice fly in the top of the tenth to put the Rockets up late once again.
The Tigers saved some of their best at bats for the bottom of the tenth, Javon Hernandez started the inning by getting in scoring position via a single and a wild pitch.
Freddy Rodriguez would move the tying run to third after a 4-3 groundout.
Trae Cassidy was intentionally walked, and James Smith IV drew a seven pitch walk to load the bases.
This set the stage for the veteran Cox to walk it off for the Tigers after hitting a double to left field that scored Hernandez and Cassidy.

NOTABLES

Starting pitcher Will Howell had a solid day, pitching 4.1 innings, while allowing no runs on six hits and striking out four. His 4.1 innings pitched are a career-high and his four strikeouts tie a career-high.
Shane Cox had a big day for the Tigers, drawing a walk and hitting two doubles, including the walk-off in the tenth.
Redshirt freshman Webb Watson had a fantastic collegiate debut, collecting an RBI in his first at-bat and getting his first collegiate hit via the long ball in his second at-bat. Watson also drew a walk and made two crucial plays from left field, throwing out two Toledo runners at home plate.
Michael Gupton came up clutch for the Tigers, tying the game in the bottom of the ninth with a single to shallow center on the first pitch of his at-bat.
Junior Carson Fair earned his first D1 win by recording the last two outs for Memphis.
Freddy Rodriguez, Michael Gupton, Webb Watson and Marcus Smith all recorded their first hits as Tigers.

SCORING SUMMARY

Bottom 2:

Shane Cox scored on a groundout by Webb Watson.

Memphis 1, Toledo 0

Bottom 4:

Webb Watson homered.

Memphis 2, Toledo 0

Top 6:

Luke Walton scored on a fielder's choice; Cade baker scored on a throwing error.

Memphis 2, Toledo 2

Top 9:

Charlie Scholvin scored on a double by Troy Sudbrook.

Memphis 2, Toledo 3

Bottom 9:

Shane Cox scored on a single by Michael Gupton.

Memphis 3, Toledo 3

Top 10:

Cade Baker scored on a sacrifice fly by Cole Cahill.

Memphis 3, Toledo 4

Bottom 10:

Javon Hernandez and Trae Cassidy scored on a double by Shane Cox.

Memphis 5, Toledo 4

UP NEXT

The Tigers are back at FedExPark Avron Fogelman Field on Sunday afternoon at 1:05 p.m. for the rubber match against the Rockets.

HOW TO FOLLOW THE TIGERS: For complete information on Memphis Tiger Baseball, visit www.GoTigersGo.com and follow the team's social media channels on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.