University of Memphis Athletics
Friday, March 20
New Orleans, La.
6:35 p.m.
University of Memphis
at
Tulane
Memphis Heads to the Big Easy to Open Conference Play
Mar 19, 2026 | Baseball
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The University of Memphis (5-14) baseball team will travel to New Orleans, Louisiana, to open American Conference play against Tulane (11-11) in a three-game series beginning Friday night.
First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m. Friday and Saturday, followed by a 1:05 p.m. finale Sunday.
This series will mark the 126th, 127th and 128th meetings between the two programs, with Tulane leading the overall series 75-50. When the teams met last season, Tulane claimed two out of three games, winning 3-2 on Friday and 3-0 on Saturday before Memphis earned a 15-6 victory in the Sunday finale.
Memphis (5-14) enters the weekend after dropping two of three games to Eastern Illinois. The Tigers opened the series with a seven-inning, run-rule victory, scoring in all six innings and recording 12 hits, including three home runs, while allowing just four hits. On Saturday, Eastern Illinois responded with 20 hits and runs in seven innings to pull away despite a three-run homer and grand slam from James Smith IV. In the series finale, the teams combined for 39 runs and 40 hits, but Memphis' 21-hit effort wasn't enough as the Panthers scored 25 runs, highlighted by a nine-run fourth inning.
On Tuesday Memphis OF/RHP James Smith IV was named National Hitter of the Week by the NCBWA and earned American Conference Player of the Week honors after a dominant performance against Eastern Illinois. The senior batted .600 with nine hits, including three home runs, two doubles and 16 RBIs, highlighted by a three-run homer and grand slam on Saturday and another three-run shot on Sunday. His 16 RBIs more than doubled his season total, and he became the first Memphis player since 2023 to record seven or more RBIs in a game. Smith also led the team in multiple offensive categories and extended his hitting streak to seven games.
The Tigers have been aggressive on the basepaths this season, recording 41 stolen bases to rank first in the American Conference and 36th nationally. Senior Freddy Rodriguez has led the charge, going 11-for-13 on stolen-base attempts, a mark that ranks third in the conference and 44th in the nation.
Ten different Tigers have hit home runs this season, combining for 24 as a team. Senior center fielder Michael Gupton leads the way with six, a total that ranks fifth in the conference.
Offensively, Memphis has been paced by Shane Cox, who leads the team in batting average (.382), hits (29) and extra-base hits (11). He has been a steady presence at the plate, recording at least one hit in 17 of the Tigers' 19 games this season.
Tulane (11-11) enters the series after picking up two midweek wins. On Tuesday Tulane took down neighbor New Orleans 5-2 and followed that win with a 2-0 victory over Northwestern State on Wednesday. Last weekend the Green Wave welcomed in Creighton for their last non-conference series. The Bluejays swept the series, winning game one 8-6 in 12 innings, and earning close wins on Saturday (2-1) and Sunday (5-4).
On the mound, Memphis is expected to send Pitcher of the Year Watch List nominee RHP Will Howell (1-3, 5.48 ERA) to the hill in Friday's opener, followed by LHP David Case (1-4, 6.75 ERA) on Saturday, while Sunday's starter has yet to be determined. The Green Wave will send two right-handed pitchers to the mound this weekend. RHP Trey Cehajic (1-1, 6.75 ERA) will start Friday, RHP Jack Frankel (1-1, 3.75 ERA) will throw Saturday while1 their Sunday starter is TBD. Cehajic was a first team preseason all-conference selection by Perfect Game.
At the plate, Tulane has been led by Jason Wachs (26 H / 8 2B / 23 RBI), Kaikea Harrison (28 H / 3 HR / 11 XBH) and Tanner Chun (16 H / 7 2B / .480 OB%). As a team, the Green Wave rank 18th in the nation in doubles with 49 this season.
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.
First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m. Friday and Saturday, followed by a 1:05 p.m. finale Sunday.
This series will mark the 126th, 127th and 128th meetings between the two programs, with Tulane leading the overall series 75-50. When the teams met last season, Tulane claimed two out of three games, winning 3-2 on Friday and 3-0 on Saturday before Memphis earned a 15-6 victory in the Sunday finale.
Memphis (5-14) enters the weekend after dropping two of three games to Eastern Illinois. The Tigers opened the series with a seven-inning, run-rule victory, scoring in all six innings and recording 12 hits, including three home runs, while allowing just four hits. On Saturday, Eastern Illinois responded with 20 hits and runs in seven innings to pull away despite a three-run homer and grand slam from James Smith IV. In the series finale, the teams combined for 39 runs and 40 hits, but Memphis' 21-hit effort wasn't enough as the Panthers scored 25 runs, highlighted by a nine-run fourth inning.
On Tuesday Memphis OF/RHP James Smith IV was named National Hitter of the Week by the NCBWA and earned American Conference Player of the Week honors after a dominant performance against Eastern Illinois. The senior batted .600 with nine hits, including three home runs, two doubles and 16 RBIs, highlighted by a three-run homer and grand slam on Saturday and another three-run shot on Sunday. His 16 RBIs more than doubled his season total, and he became the first Memphis player since 2023 to record seven or more RBIs in a game. Smith also led the team in multiple offensive categories and extended his hitting streak to seven games.
The Tigers have been aggressive on the basepaths this season, recording 41 stolen bases to rank first in the American Conference and 36th nationally. Senior Freddy Rodriguez has led the charge, going 11-for-13 on stolen-base attempts, a mark that ranks third in the conference and 44th in the nation.
Ten different Tigers have hit home runs this season, combining for 24 as a team. Senior center fielder Michael Gupton leads the way with six, a total that ranks fifth in the conference.
Offensively, Memphis has been paced by Shane Cox, who leads the team in batting average (.382), hits (29) and extra-base hits (11). He has been a steady presence at the plate, recording at least one hit in 17 of the Tigers' 19 games this season.
Tulane (11-11) enters the series after picking up two midweek wins. On Tuesday Tulane took down neighbor New Orleans 5-2 and followed that win with a 2-0 victory over Northwestern State on Wednesday. Last weekend the Green Wave welcomed in Creighton for their last non-conference series. The Bluejays swept the series, winning game one 8-6 in 12 innings, and earning close wins on Saturday (2-1) and Sunday (5-4).
On the mound, Memphis is expected to send Pitcher of the Year Watch List nominee RHP Will Howell (1-3, 5.48 ERA) to the hill in Friday's opener, followed by LHP David Case (1-4, 6.75 ERA) on Saturday, while Sunday's starter has yet to be determined. The Green Wave will send two right-handed pitchers to the mound this weekend. RHP Trey Cehajic (1-1, 6.75 ERA) will start Friday, RHP Jack Frankel (1-1, 3.75 ERA) will throw Saturday while1 their Sunday starter is TBD. Cehajic was a first team preseason all-conference selection by Perfect Game.
At the plate, Tulane has been led by Jason Wachs (26 H / 8 2B / 23 RBI), Kaikea Harrison (28 H / 3 HR / 11 XBH) and Tanner Chun (16 H / 7 2B / .480 OB%). As a team, the Green Wave rank 18th in the nation in doubles with 49 this season.
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.
Players Mentioned
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