University of Memphis Athletics
Friday, May 8
Memphis, Tenn.
6:05 p.m.
University of Memphis
vs
UTSA
Memphis Welcomes First-Place UTSA for Final Home Series
May 07, 2026 | Baseball
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The University of Memphis (19-28, 10-11 American) baseball team hosts American Conference-leading UTSA (33-15, 15-6 American) this weekend in its final home series of the 2026 season. Game times are set for 6:05 p.m. Friday, 2:05 p.m. Saturday and 1:05 p.m. Sunday.
UTSA holds a 5-1 advantage in the all-time series against the Tigers heading into this weekend's matchup, which marks just the third series between the two programs. The inaugural series took place in 2024 at FedExPark Avron Fogelman Field, where UTSA captured the opening and closing games while Memphis earned a 12-5 victory in Saturday's contest. Last season, the Tigers traveled to San Antonio and fell in all three meetings, dropping the first two games 12-2 and 17-7 before suffering a 6-5 defeat in 11 innings in the series finale.
Memphis (19-28, 10-11 American) took two of three from then conference-leading East Carolina last weekend before defeating the Central Arkansas Bears on Tuesday. After falling behind in the early innings against Central Arkansas, Memphis responded with a five-run fourth frame and launched three home runs to seize momentum. The Tigers finished with 12 hits while the bullpen delivered a strong performance to help lock down the win.
Memphis has applied constant pressure on the bases throughout the season, swiping 108 stolen bases to rank fourth in program history while also leading the American Conference and sitting 27th nationally. Senior Freddy Rodriguez has led the Tigers' running game, successfully stealing 37 bases in 42 attempts to top the conference and rank fourth in the nation. Rodriguez now sits just three stolen bases shy of breaking the program's single-season record.
Memphis has turned in strong defensive performances throughout the season, posting a .975 fielding percentage that ranks 79th in the nation. The Tigers have been charged with only 42 errors, putting them just six away from matching the program record low of 48 set during the 2022 season.
A total of 14 Tigers have homered this season, helping Memphis compile 56 long balls as a team. Senior center fielder Michael Gupton continues to lead the lineup with 13 home runs after going deep again on Tuesday, a mark that ranks second in the conference. James Smith IV has also provided power at the plate, sitting ninth in the league with eight home runs.
UTSA (33-15, 15-6 American) enters the weekend atop the American Conference standings, marking the third consecutive series in which the Tigers have faced the conference's first-place team. The Roadrunners swept Wichita State last weekend before taking the trip to Austin, Texas to face No. 4 Texas. In that game, The Roadrunners responded after an early surge from the Longhorns, carrying an 8-7 advantage into the eighth inning. Texas regained control with a grand slam in the bottom of the eighth and closed out the game to claim an 11-7 victory over UTSA.
On the mound, the Tigers will hand the ball to RHP Will Howell (4-6, 7.45 ERA) for his 13th start of the season on Friday, before trotting out LHP David Case (5-6, 5.46 ERA) who will look for his sixth quality start in his last seven starts. Sunday's starter is to be determined. The Roadrunners will counter with RHP Gunnar Brown (2-0, 5.68 ERA) on Friday, who gave up three runs in his last start (Saturday vs. Wichita State). RHP Conor Myles (8-1, 2.43 ERA) is set to start Saturday's contest, posting the second-lowest ERA in the conference. UTSA's Sunday starter is also to be determined.
At the plate, UTSA has been led by Drew Detlefsen (.386 AVG / 32 XBH / 59 RBI), who leads the conference in batting average, hits, runs, runs batted in and total bases, Caden Miller (.371 AVG / 20 2B / 42 BB), who leads the conference in doubles and on base percentage, and Lane Haworth (61 H / 19 XBH / 45 RBI). As a team, the Roadrunners rank seventh in the nation in runs (425), 11th in on base percentage (.429), 15th in batting average (.311) and 17th in walks (270).
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.
UTSA holds a 5-1 advantage in the all-time series against the Tigers heading into this weekend's matchup, which marks just the third series between the two programs. The inaugural series took place in 2024 at FedExPark Avron Fogelman Field, where UTSA captured the opening and closing games while Memphis earned a 12-5 victory in Saturday's contest. Last season, the Tigers traveled to San Antonio and fell in all three meetings, dropping the first two games 12-2 and 17-7 before suffering a 6-5 defeat in 11 innings in the series finale.
Memphis (19-28, 10-11 American) took two of three from then conference-leading East Carolina last weekend before defeating the Central Arkansas Bears on Tuesday. After falling behind in the early innings against Central Arkansas, Memphis responded with a five-run fourth frame and launched three home runs to seize momentum. The Tigers finished with 12 hits while the bullpen delivered a strong performance to help lock down the win.
Memphis has applied constant pressure on the bases throughout the season, swiping 108 stolen bases to rank fourth in program history while also leading the American Conference and sitting 27th nationally. Senior Freddy Rodriguez has led the Tigers' running game, successfully stealing 37 bases in 42 attempts to top the conference and rank fourth in the nation. Rodriguez now sits just three stolen bases shy of breaking the program's single-season record.
Memphis has turned in strong defensive performances throughout the season, posting a .975 fielding percentage that ranks 79th in the nation. The Tigers have been charged with only 42 errors, putting them just six away from matching the program record low of 48 set during the 2022 season.
A total of 14 Tigers have homered this season, helping Memphis compile 56 long balls as a team. Senior center fielder Michael Gupton continues to lead the lineup with 13 home runs after going deep again on Tuesday, a mark that ranks second in the conference. James Smith IV has also provided power at the plate, sitting ninth in the league with eight home runs.
UTSA (33-15, 15-6 American) enters the weekend atop the American Conference standings, marking the third consecutive series in which the Tigers have faced the conference's first-place team. The Roadrunners swept Wichita State last weekend before taking the trip to Austin, Texas to face No. 4 Texas. In that game, The Roadrunners responded after an early surge from the Longhorns, carrying an 8-7 advantage into the eighth inning. Texas regained control with a grand slam in the bottom of the eighth and closed out the game to claim an 11-7 victory over UTSA.
On the mound, the Tigers will hand the ball to RHP Will Howell (4-6, 7.45 ERA) for his 13th start of the season on Friday, before trotting out LHP David Case (5-6, 5.46 ERA) who will look for his sixth quality start in his last seven starts. Sunday's starter is to be determined. The Roadrunners will counter with RHP Gunnar Brown (2-0, 5.68 ERA) on Friday, who gave up three runs in his last start (Saturday vs. Wichita State). RHP Conor Myles (8-1, 2.43 ERA) is set to start Saturday's contest, posting the second-lowest ERA in the conference. UTSA's Sunday starter is also to be determined.
At the plate, UTSA has been led by Drew Detlefsen (.386 AVG / 32 XBH / 59 RBI), who leads the conference in batting average, hits, runs, runs batted in and total bases, Caden Miller (.371 AVG / 20 2B / 42 BB), who leads the conference in doubles and on base percentage, and Lane Haworth (61 H / 19 XBH / 45 RBI). As a team, the Roadrunners rank seventh in the nation in runs (425), 11th in on base percentage (.429), 15th in batting average (.311) and 17th in walks (270).
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.
Players Mentioned
LHP
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