Tigers Upset No. 18 Ole Miss Behind Complete Team Effort

Tuesday, March 24

Memphis, Tenn.

6:05 p.m.

University of Memphis

7-16

Ole Miss

19-7

Ole Miss

Memphis

Tigers Upset No. 18 Ole Miss Behind Complete Team Effort

Mar 24, 2026 | Baseball

Box Score

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The University of Memphis (7-16, 1-2 American) baseball team defeated No. 18 Ole Miss (19-7), 6-2, Tuesday evening at FedExPark Avron Fogelman Field.

Memphis totaled nine hits on the night and used a balanced offensive attack along with strong pitching and outstanding defense to secure the midweek victory. The Tigers scored in three different innings, including a pair of two-run frames in the fourth and fifth to take control of the game.

Cade Hitson, Michael Gupton and Tyler Harrington led the way offensively, each recording two hits and combining for all five RBIs. Hitson launched a two-run home run in the fifth inning, while Gupton added a solo homer in the eighth to extend the lead. Harrington also drove in two runs with a key two-RBI single in the fourth inning.

On the mound, Memphis pieced together a strong outing from its staff. Jacob Dienes (1-0) earned the win in relief, tossing a scoreless inning with one strikeout. The Tigers' pitching staff combined to allow just four hits while striking out 10 Ole Miss batters. Carson Fair entered the game in the eighth and recorded his fourth save of the season.

Memphis will continue its homestand this weekend when they host Wichita State. First pitch for Friday's game is scheduled for 6:05 p.m. at FedExPark Avron Fogelman Field.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Memphis starter Logan Rushing got the Tigers off to a strong start, retiring the first six Ole Miss batters of the game.
However, Ole Miss struck first in the third inning with a sacrifice fly to take a 1-0 lead.
Memphis answered in the fourth as Tyler Harrington delivered a big, two-RBI single to give the Tigers a 2-1 advantage.
The Tigers added two more runs in the fifth on Cade Hitson's two-run home run to extend the lead to 4-1.
Ole Miss cut into the deficit in the seventh with an RBI groundout, making it 4-2 and loaded the bases later in the inning before Aiden Steht struck out Tristan Bissetta to escape the jam.
The Rebels threatened again in the eighth before Javon Hernandez made an incredible play to turn two for the Tigers and eliminate the threat.
Memphis put the game away in the eighth inning as Michael Gupton hit a solo home run and Hernandez added a sacrifice bunt RBI to make it 6-2.
Carson Fair shut the door on the Rebels, striking out three of the six batters he faced to earn the save.

NOTABLES

The Tigers picked up their first win against a ranked opponent since April 30, 2023, when they defeated No. 25 Wichita State 6-3.
- The win was also the first over a top 20 team since Memphis took down No. 9 East Carolina 11-1 on May 25, 2021.
A true bullpen game for the Tigers, the entire pitching staff came together to shut down the Ole Miss offense.
- The Rebels were held to just four hits, tied for the least allowed by the Tigers in a game thus far.
- The bullpen also recorded ten strikeouts; the first time Memphis has done so since game one of the Missouri State series.
Notable pitching performances include:
- Logan Rushing, 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 K
- Nolan McCracken, 1 IP, 1 H, 1R
- Jacob Dienes, 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 K, Win
- Isaac Lucas, 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 K
- Aiden Steht, 1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 2 K
- Eli Curtis, 0.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R
- Carson Fair, 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 3 K, Save
Freddy Rodriguez stole two bases for the Tigers, bringing the team's season total to 49 steals, which ranks in the top 50 nationally.
- Rodriguez is 16-18 on the year.
- His 16 stolen bases are second-most in the conference and just one behind first.
Memphis was led at the plate by the trio of right fielder Cade Hitson, center fielder Michael Gupton and first baseman Tyler Harrington
- Hitson finished the day 2-for-4, including a towering two-run homer in the fifth inning.
- Gupton hit his team-leading seventh home run of the season in the eighth inning to provide a much-needed insurance run for the Tigers.
- Harrington had one of the biggest swings of the game for Memphis, a two-RBI single in the fourth inning to give the Tigers a lead they would never surrender.

SCORING SUMMARY

Top 3:
Owen Paino hit a sacrifice fly, Dom Decker scored.
Memphis 0, Ole Miss 1

Bottom 4:
Tyler Harrington singled, Cade Hitson and Michael Gupton scored.
Memphis 2, Ole Miss 1

Bottom 5:
Cade Hitson homered, James Smith IV scored.
Memphis 4, Ole Miss 1

Top 7:
Daniel Pacella grounded out, Collin Reuter scored.
Memphis 4, Ole Miss 2

Bottom 8:
Michael Gupton homered.
Javon Hernandez hit a sacrifice bunt, Parker Price scored.
Memphis 6, Ole Miss 2

UP NEXT

The Tigers will take their momentum into a three-game series with Wichita State starting Friday at FedExPark Avron Fogelman Field. First pitch is set for 6:05 p.m.

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.