Hernandez Homers, Tigers Fall at No. 15 Mississippi State, 6-2

Tuesday, April 21

Starkville, Miss.

6:05 p.m.

University of Memphis

15-24

Mississippi State

31-10

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	Runs R	Hits H	Errors E
Memphis	1	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	2	10	2
Mississippi State	0	0	0	2	0	1	0	3	X	6	8	1

Hernandez Homers, Tigers Fall at No. 15 Mississippi State, 6-2

Apr 21, 2026 | Baseball

Box Score

STARKVILLE, Miss. – The University of Memphis (15-24, 7-8 American) baseball team dropped a midweek contest to No. 15 Mississippi State (31-10, 10-8 SEC), 6-2, on Tuesday night at Dudy Noble Field in Starkville.

Memphis (15-24, 7-8 American) totaled 10 hits on the night but left 11 runners on base, while Mississippi State (31-10) capitalized on key opportunities late, including a three-run home run in the eighth inning to pull away. The Tigers struck first and later tied the game in the fifth, but the Bulldogs answered with runs in the sixth and eighth to secure the win.

Javon Hernandez led the Tigers offensively, going 2-for-5 with a home run and two runs scored, while James Smith IV added an RBI. On the mound, Memphis used five pitchers, with Isaac Lucas (0-2) taking the loss.

Memphis will be back in action this weekend in Birmingham, Alabama for a three-game series with UAB. First pitch Friday is set for 5:05 p.m., followed by a 2:05 p.m. start on Saturday and a 1:05 p.m. first pitch for the series finale.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Memphis got on the board in the first inning when Javon Hernandez doubled and later scored on an RBI single by James Smith IV to take a 1-0 lead.
Mississippi State responded in the fourth, using a pair of runs on two hits and a Memphis error to go ahead 2-1.
The Tigers evened the game in the fifth inning as Hernandez launched a solo home run to left field, tying the score at 2-2.
The Bulldogs regained the lead in the sixth with an RBI single to make it 3-2.
Mississippi State broke the game open in the eighth inning, capitalizing on a fielding error before Vytas Valincius hit a three-run home run to extend the lead to 6-2.
Memphis loaded the bases in the ninth before Smith IV struck out and Shane Cox flew out to left field to end the game.

NOTABLES

Shortstop Javon Hernandez led the Tigers offensively, finishing 2-for-5 at the plate with a home run, a double, two runs scored and an RBI.
- Hernandez hit his first home run of the season and is the 14^th different Memphis batter to go yard this year.
- Also recorded his 40^th hit, 10^th double and 10^th multi-hit game of the season.
Designated hitter James Smith IV knocked in the first run of the game for Memphis.
- Smith IV tallied his 36^th RBI on the year, tied for most on the team and 10^th in the conference.
Jack Pitts started in left field and went 2-for-3 on the day with a walk.
- Pitts recorded his ninth and 10^th hits of the year and his second multi-hit game.
Right fielder Marcus Smith had a 2-for-4 day at the dish.
- Smith recorded his second multi-hit game of the season.

SCORING SUMMARY

Top 1:
James Smith IV singled, Javon Hernandez scored.
Memphis 1, Mississippi State 0

Bottom 4:
Jacob Parker singled, Reed Stallman scored.
Ryder Woodson grounded out, Blake Bevis scored.
Memphis 1, Mississippi State 2

Top 5:
Javon Hernandez homered.
Memphis 2, Mississippi State 2

Bottom 6:
Vytas Valincius singled, Blake Bevis scored.
Memphis 2, Mississippi State 3

Bottom 8:
Vytas Valincius homered, Reed Stallman and Gatlin Sanders scored.
Memphis 2, Mississippi State 6

UP NEXT

Memphis will come home before leaving for a weekend series with conference foe UAB, starting Friday. First pitch is scheduled for 5:05 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.