Late Charlotte Rally Sinks Tigers in Regular Season Finale

Saturday, May 16

Charlotte, N.C.

12:05 p.m.

University of Memphis

22-32, 13-14

Charlotte

28-27, 12-15

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	Runs R	Hits H	Errors E
Memphis	0	3	4	0	0	0	0	0	0	7	11	1
Charlotte	2	3	0	0	0	0	0	0	3	8	10	2

Late Charlotte Rally Sinks Tigers in Regular Season Finale

May 16, 2026 | Baseball

Box Score

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The University of Memphis (22-32, 13-14 American) baseball team dropped its regular season finale to Charlotte (28-27, 12-15 American), 8-7, Saturday afternoon at Hayes Stadium.

The Tigers erased an early deficit and built a 7-5 lead behind a seven-run outburst across the second and third innings, but Charlotte plated three runs in the bottom of the ninth to walk off Memphis. James Smith IV powered the offense with a 3-for-3 performance that included a two-run home run, while Freddy Rodriguez added two hits and two RBIs.

Memphis totaled 11 hits on the afternoon and received strong relief work from graduate student Logan Rushing, who tossed four shutout innings while allowing just two hits. Charlotte reliever Adam Stanton (4-1) earned the win after holding the Tigers scoreless over the final 6.1 innings, while Carson Fair (1-1) was charged with the loss.

Memphis will travel to Clearwater, Florida for the American Conference Tournament starting Wednesday. The Tigers claimed the No. 5 seed in the tournament and will face No. 8 Charlotte in their first game.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Charlotte struck first in the opening inning after Alec DeMartino launched a two-run homer to left field, giving the 49ers an early 2-0 lead.
Memphis answered in the second with three runs. Trae Cassidy drove in a run on a groundout, Tyler Harrington followed with a sacrifice fly and Freddy Rodriguez delivered a two-out RBI single to put the Tigers in front, 3-2.
Charlotte responded immediately with three runs in the bottom half of the inning to reclaim a 5-3 advantage, highlighted by a two-run single from Robert Nedry and an RBI knock from Todd Hudson.
The Tigers surged back in the third. Brady McAbee singled to begin the inning before James Smith IV crushed a two-run homer to left-center. Michael Gupton later tripled and scored on an RBI single from Cassidy, and Rodriguez capped the frame with another RBI hit as Memphis grabbed a 7-5 lead.
Memphis pitching shut down Charlotte over the next six innings, with Logan Rushing and Charlie Smith combining for five scoreless frames to preserve the lead.
Charlotte mounted its final push in the ninth, loading the bases before Dylan Koontz brought home a run on a groundout. Cody Gunderson followed with a two-run single down the left-field line to complete the comeback and hand the Tigers an 8-7 loss.

NOTABLES

Michael Gupton and Webb Watson both stole a base for the Tigers, bringing the team's season total to 124 steals, which ranks in the top 25 nationally and first in the conference.
- The 124 steals are the second-most in a single season in school history.
- Gupton stole his 16^th base of the season while Watson snagged his second.
Right fielder James Smith IV finished the day 3-for-3 with a home run, two runs scored and two RBI.
- Smith improved his season average to a team-best .301 as well as well as blasting his 11^th homer of the season.
- Smith also ended the regular season as the team leader in RBIs (52), games with three or more hits (6) and multi-RBI games (14).
Third baseman Freddy Rodriguez added two hits and two RBI for the Tigers.
- Rodriguez recorded his 59^th hit and 17^th game with two or more hits, both leading the team.
- Picked up his 30^th RBI on the season.
Center fielder Michael Gupton logged a 2-for-5 day with two runs scored.
- Gupton hit his third triple of the season in the third inning before coming around to score.
First baseman Tyler Harrington had a solid day at the plate, going 2-for-4 with an RBI.
- Harrington now totals 48 hits and 14 multi-hit games this year.
Relief pitchers Logan Rushing and Charlie Smith provided excellent relief outings for the Tigers.
- Rushing finished the day pitching four innings, allowed no runs on just two hits.
- Smith pitched a perfect inning in the seventh, allowing no runs and no hits.

SCORING SUMMARY

Bottom 1:
Alec DeMartino homered, Robert Nedry scored.
Memphis 0, Charlotte 2

Top 2:
Trae Cassidy grounded out, James Smith IV scored.
Tyler Harrington hit a sacrifice fly, Shane Cox scored.
Freddy Rodriguez singled, Michael Gupton scored.
Memphis 3, Charlotte 2

Bottom 2:
Robert Nedry singled, Adrian Jimenez and Dawson Bryce scored.
Todd Hudson singled, Robert Nedry scored.
Memphis 3, Charlotte 5

Top 3:
James Smith IV homered, Brady McAbee scored.
Trae Cassidy singled, Michael Gupton scored.
Freddy Rodriguez singled, Trae Cassidy scored.
Memphis 7, Charlotte 5

Bottom 9:
Dylan Koontz grounded out, Spencer Nolan scored.
Cody Gunderson singled, Todd Hudson and Robert Nedry scored.
Memphis 7, Charlotte 8

UP NEXT

Memphis will head to Clearwater, Florida, as the five seed in the American Conference Tournament. The Tigers will play their first game on Wednesday, May 20.

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.