Tigers Roll Past Wichita State, 11-1, to Even Series

Saturday, March 28

Memphis, Tenn.

2:05 p.m.

University of Memphis

8-17, 2-3

Wichita State

18-10, 18-10

Wichita State

Memphis

Tigers Roll Past Wichita State, 11-1, to Even Series

Mar 28, 2026 | Baseball

Box Score

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The University of Memphis (8-17, 2-3 American) baseball team evened its weekend series with Wichita State (18-10, 3-2 American) with an 11-1 victory on Saturday afternoon at FedExPark Avron Fogelman Field.

Memphis (8-17, 2-3 American) jumped on Wichita State early and never looked back, scoring in four different innings and using a dominant outing on the mound to secure the run-rule victory.

The Tigers totaled nine hits and capitalized on timely hitting and aggressive baserunning, while limiting the Shockers (18-10, 3-2 American) to just one run on five hits.

Freddy Rodriguez led the way at the top of the lineup, going 1-for-2 with three walks, an RBI and multiple stolen bases, while Trae Cassidy delivered a key two-RBI double in the second inning. James Smith IV added two RBIs, and Kyle Mabie provided a late spark with a two-run double in the eighth to walk off the shockers.

On the mound, David Case (2-5) earned the win and earned a quality start, allowing just one run across six innings while striking out five. Seth Garner closed the game with two scoreless innings in relief to preserve the victory.

Memphis will continue its series with Wichita State tomorrow for the pivotal series-deciding game three. First pitch is scheduled for 1:05 p.m. at FedExPark Avron Fogelman Field.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Memphis struck first in the opening inning as second baseman Shane Cox lifted a sacrifice fly to score Freddy Rodriguez for a 1-0 lead.
The Tigers broke the game open in the second, scoring four runs highlighted by a two-RBI double from catcher Trae Cassidy and a two-run single from James Smith IV to make it 5-0.
Memphis added two more in the third inning on RBI singles from first baseman Tyler Harrington and shortstop Javon Hernandez to extend the lead to 7-0.
Wichita State got on the board in the sixth with a sacrifice fly to cut the deficit to 7-1.
Memphis answered immediately, adding a run in the sixth on a wild pitch to push the lead to 8-1.
In the eighth, the Tigers put the game away with a three-run frame, highlighted by a two-run walk-off double from Kyle Mabie to secure the 11-1 final.

NOTABLES

Freddy Rodriguez stole a base for the Tigers as they combined for five on the day, bringing the team's season total to 60 steals, which ranks in the top 50 nationally.
- Rodriguez is 19-21 on the year.
- His 19 steals are the most by any player in the conference.
- Also tied his season-high in walks with three.
Starting pitcher David Case turned in one of his strongest outings of the season, holding Wichita State to one run over six innings.
- Case earned a quality start by allowing two or less runs over six innings of work.
- His final numbers were: 6 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 3 BB, 5 K
Trae Cassidy and James Smith IV each drove in two runs to lead the offense.
- Cassidy continued his improved hitting streak and tallied his fifth extra-base hit of the season.
- Smith IV has now cracked 30 RBIs on the year, his 31 total ranked in the top five of the American conference standings.
Freshman Kyle Mabie was called upon to pinch-hit in the eighth inning and delivered a walk-off two RBI double to left center field.
- The double was the first hit of his collegiate career
- Mabie secured the second run-rule victory of the season for the Tigers, with the previous being Memphis' 24-5 destruction of Little Rock on February 24.

SCORING SUMMARY

Bottom 1:
Shane Cox hit a sacrifice fly, Freddy Rodriguez scored.
Memphis 1, Wichita State 0

Bottom 2:
Trae Cassidy doubled, Tyler Harrington and Javon Hernandez scored.
James Smith IV singled, Freddy Rodriguez and Trae Cassidy scored.
Memphis 5, Wichita State 0

Bottom 3:
Tyler Harrington singled, Michael Gupton scored.
Javon Hernandez singled, Tyler Harrington scored.
Memphis 7, Wichita State 0

Top 6:
Jacob Gutierrez hit a sacrifice fly, Jayson Jones scored.
Memphis 7, Wichita State 1

Bottom 6:
Freddy Rodriguez scored on a wild pitch.
Memphis 8, Wichita State 1

Bottom 8:
Freddy Rodriguez scored on a wild pitch.
Kyle Mabie doubled, Trae Cassidy and Michael Gupton scored.
Memphis 11, Wichita State 1

UP NEXT

Memphis will look to claim their first conference series win on Sunday afternoon at FedExPark Avron Fogelman Field. First pitch is set for 1:05 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.