Memphis Opens Conference Play with a 7-6 Win Over Tulane

Friday, March 20

New Orleans, La.

6:35 p.m.

University of Memphis

Tulane

Memphis Opens Conference Play with a 7-6 Win Over Tulane

Mar 20, 2026 | Baseball

Box Score

NEW ORLEANS, La. – The University of Memphis (6-14, 1-0 American) baseball team opened American Conference play with a 7-6 victory over Tulane (11-12, 0-1 American) Friday night at Greer Field at Turchin Stadium.

Memphis built an early lead and held off a late Tulane push to secure the one-run win. The Tigers totaled 10 hits on the night, with three players recording multiple hits, while the pitching staff combined to limit the Green Wave to six runs despite 11 hits.

Senior catcher Trae Cassidy led the way offensively, going 3-for-5 with an RBI. Tyler Harrington and Javon Hernandez each added two hits, while Harrington and Cade Hitson both homered to power the Tigers' offense.

On the mound, Will Howell earned the win after tossing 5.2 innings, allowing four runs while striking out five. Carson Fair picked up his third save of the season after closing out the ninth inning.

Memphis will be back in action on Saturday for game two with Tulane. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m. in New Orleans, Louisiana.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Memphis struck first in the opening inning when designated hitter James Smith IV doubled down the right field line to score Freddy Rodriguez for a 1-0 lead.
The Tigers added another run in the second as shortstop Javon Hernandez delivered an RBI single to make it 2-0.
Tulane responded with two runs in the bottom of the second and added a solo homer in the third.
Memphis answered in the third inning as Tyler Harrington drove in a run with a single and Jack Little added a sacrifice fly to extend the lead to 4-3.
The Tigers extended their advantage in the fifth inning on solo home runs from Harrington and Hitson, pushing the lead to 6-3.
Tulane chipped away with a run in the sixth and another in the seventh to cut the deficit to 6-5.
Memphis added an insurance run in the eighth when Trae Cassidy singled home Hernandez to make it 7-5.
The Green Wave scored once in the ninth and brought the tying run on base, but Fair closed the door to secure the 7-6 win.

NOTABLES

Javon Hernandez, Freddy Rodriguez, Jack Little and Trae Cassidy all stole a base for the Tigers, bringing the team's season total to 45 steals, which ranks in the top 40 nationally.
- Rodriguez is 12-14 on the year while Hernandez is a perfect 9-9.
Starting pitcher Will Howell threw 110 pitches over 5.2 innings, allowing four runs on eight hits while striking out five.
- His 110 pitches are a career-high while his five punchouts tied a career-high.
James Smith IV went 1-for-3 with an RBI double.
- Now has 11 extra-base hits on the year, tied for the team lead.
- Extended his eight-game hitting streak.
Catcher Trae Cassidy went 3-for-5 on the day with an RBI.
- Cassidy recorded his second straight game with three hits after also collecting three in the finale game of the Eastern Illinois series.
- This was his fifth multi-hit game of the year.
Right fielder Cade Hitson hit a solo home run to right field in the fifth inning.
- The homer is his first at the D1 level.
- Hitson has recorded a hit in all six games he has played thus far.
First baseman Tyler Harrington finished the game with two hits including an opposite-field home run.
- The homer was his second of the season.
- Friday marked his fourth multi-hit game of the season.
Shortstop Javon Hernandez batted ninth and went 2-for-4 and collected an RBI.
- The Tigers' usual leadoff hitter, Hernandez batted ninth for just the third time this season.
After drawing a walk on Friday, second baseman Shane Cox continued his streak of reaching base safely in every game thus far.
- Cox has recorded at least one hit in 17 of 20 games this season.
- Cox leads the Tigers in batting average (.363), hits (29), doubles (8), and extra-base hits (11).

SCORING SUMMARY

Top 1:
James Smith IV doubled, Freddy Rodriguez scored.
Memphis 1, Tulane 0

Top 2:
Javon Hernandez singled, Jack Little scored.
Memphis 2, Tulane 0

Bottom 2:
Trent Liolios doubled, Tye Wood scored.
Kaikea Harrison hit a sacrifice bunt, Trent Liolios scored.
Memphis 2, Tulane 2

Top 3:
Tyler Harrington singled, Trae Cassidy scored.
Jack Little hit a sacrifice fly, James Smith IV scored.
Memphis 4, Tulane 2

Bottom 3:
Jason Wachs homered.
Memphis 4, Tulane 3

Top 5:
Tyler Harrington homered.
Cade Hitson homered.
Memphis 6, Tulane 3

Bottom 6:
Brett Rowell singled, Trent Liolios scored.
Memphis 6, Tulane 4

Bottom 7:
Hugh Pinkney singled, Jason Wachs scored.
Memphis 6, Tulane 5

Top 8:
Trae Cassidy singled, Javon Hernandez scored.
Memphis 7, Tulane 5

Bottom 9:
Johnny Elliot reached on a fielder's choice; Jason Wachs scored on an error.
Memphis 7, Tulane 6

UP NEXT

Memphis will continue its series with Tulane Saturday night. First pitch is set for 6:35 p.m. at Greer Field at Turchin Stadium.

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.