Friday, March 7
Memphis, Tenn.
4:05 P.M.
University of Memphis
vs
Southeastern Louisiana
Photo by: Matthew A. Smith
Tigers Welcome Lions to FedExPark for Three-Game Set
Mar 06, 2025 | Baseball
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The University of Memphis baseball team welcomes Southeastern Louisiana to FedExPark Avron Fogelman Field this weekend for a big three-game series against head coach Matt Riser's former program.
The series kicks off Friday afternoon at 4:05 p.m. before games on Saturday at 2:05 p.m. and Sunday at 1:05 p.m. All three matchups can be streamed live on ESPN+.
The series with the Bulldogs will mark the fourth, fifth and sixth all-time meetings between the two teams, with the Tigers leading the all-time series, 2-1, after taking the inaugural series in Hammond in 2023 when Riser was coaching in the Lions' dugout.
Memphis (8-4) is coming off an eight-inning midweek win over Little Rock on Wednesday afternoon, defeating the Trojans 13-3 behind a nine-run fourth inning.
The win came after the Tigers went down to Ruston, Louisiana, and won a series over Louisiana Tech, two games to one, over the weekend. The series win over the Bulldogs made it three-straight series wins to begin the season – something that hadn't been done since 2014. Even more impressive, two of those three series wins have come over 2024 Regional-qualifying teams (SEMO, LA Tech).
Senior outfielder Chase Nixon had a big weekend in Ruston as he slugged a pair of home runs in last Friday's 7-2 win over the Bulldogs. In the fourth inning of a 2-2 tie in Sunday's rubber match, he came to the plate with the bases juiced and delivered a go-ahead grand slam for his third of the weekend that proved to be the difference in the Tigers' 7-3, series-clinching win.
Nixon slashed .300 / .417 / .750 for the week and hit safely in all five games last week with 15 total bases. In addition to his three long balls, he drove in eight runs, scored six times and drew four walks, also logging an outfield assist in the series win at LA Tech.
Nixon was named to the American Athletic Conference's Weekly Honor Roll along with junior right-handed pitcher Seth Garner. A native of Savannah, Tenn., Garner tossed six innings and allowed just one run on four hits while striking out four and walking one to earn the win on Friday night in Ruston.
Southeastern (10-2) enters the series riding a three-game winning streak after sweeping Northwestern State in Hammond last weekend. Interestingly enough, Lions' head coach Bobby Barbier found himself in the same situation Matt Riser finds himself in this weekend – coaching against his former team.
The Lions are led offensively by Dane Watts (.467 AVG. / 5 2B / 1 HR / 10 RBI), Ryan Brome (.400 AVG. / 5 HR / 10 RBI) and Conner O'Neal (.333 AVG. / 4 HR / 7 RBI).
The Tigers will roll out a weekend rotation of RHP Seth Garner (1-0, 2.87 ERA), LHP David Case (1-2, 6.75 ERA, 18 K) and RHP Caden Robinson (1-1, 4.50 ERA). The Lions will counter with right-handed pitchers Brennan Stuprich (3-0, 0.50 ERA), Lakin Polk (2-0, 0.64 ERA) and Blake Lobell (1-0, 5.79 ERA) in Sunday's finale.
After ranking 12th nationally with 54 double plays turned a season ago, the Tigers have turned 13 through the season's first dozen games and rank ninth nationally in that category (No. 2 AAC).
The Memphis pitching staff has been another highlight to the start of the season, combining for a 3.71 ERA to rank second in The American and rank top 50 nationally.
Extra-base hits have been aplenty to begin the year as the Tigers have already hit for 27 doubles (No. 44 NCAA, No. 4 AAC) and four triples (No. 45 NCAA, No. 4 AAC).
Season-ticket packages and single-game tickets for Tiger home games are available at THIS LINK. Kids ages 17 and under receive free general admission all season long.
How to follow the Tigers: For complete information on Memphis Tiger Baseball and to purchase tickets, visit www.GoTigersGo.com and follow the team's social media channels on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
The series kicks off Friday afternoon at 4:05 p.m. before games on Saturday at 2:05 p.m. and Sunday at 1:05 p.m. All three matchups can be streamed live on ESPN+.
The series with the Bulldogs will mark the fourth, fifth and sixth all-time meetings between the two teams, with the Tigers leading the all-time series, 2-1, after taking the inaugural series in Hammond in 2023 when Riser was coaching in the Lions' dugout.
Memphis (8-4) is coming off an eight-inning midweek win over Little Rock on Wednesday afternoon, defeating the Trojans 13-3 behind a nine-run fourth inning.
The win came after the Tigers went down to Ruston, Louisiana, and won a series over Louisiana Tech, two games to one, over the weekend. The series win over the Bulldogs made it three-straight series wins to begin the season – something that hadn't been done since 2014. Even more impressive, two of those three series wins have come over 2024 Regional-qualifying teams (SEMO, LA Tech).
Senior outfielder Chase Nixon had a big weekend in Ruston as he slugged a pair of home runs in last Friday's 7-2 win over the Bulldogs. In the fourth inning of a 2-2 tie in Sunday's rubber match, he came to the plate with the bases juiced and delivered a go-ahead grand slam for his third of the weekend that proved to be the difference in the Tigers' 7-3, series-clinching win.
Nixon slashed .300 / .417 / .750 for the week and hit safely in all five games last week with 15 total bases. In addition to his three long balls, he drove in eight runs, scored six times and drew four walks, also logging an outfield assist in the series win at LA Tech.
Nixon was named to the American Athletic Conference's Weekly Honor Roll along with junior right-handed pitcher Seth Garner. A native of Savannah, Tenn., Garner tossed six innings and allowed just one run on four hits while striking out four and walking one to earn the win on Friday night in Ruston.
Southeastern (10-2) enters the series riding a three-game winning streak after sweeping Northwestern State in Hammond last weekend. Interestingly enough, Lions' head coach Bobby Barbier found himself in the same situation Matt Riser finds himself in this weekend – coaching against his former team.
The Lions are led offensively by Dane Watts (.467 AVG. / 5 2B / 1 HR / 10 RBI), Ryan Brome (.400 AVG. / 5 HR / 10 RBI) and Conner O'Neal (.333 AVG. / 4 HR / 7 RBI).
The Tigers will roll out a weekend rotation of RHP Seth Garner (1-0, 2.87 ERA), LHP David Case (1-2, 6.75 ERA, 18 K) and RHP Caden Robinson (1-1, 4.50 ERA). The Lions will counter with right-handed pitchers Brennan Stuprich (3-0, 0.50 ERA), Lakin Polk (2-0, 0.64 ERA) and Blake Lobell (1-0, 5.79 ERA) in Sunday's finale.
After ranking 12th nationally with 54 double plays turned a season ago, the Tigers have turned 13 through the season's first dozen games and rank ninth nationally in that category (No. 2 AAC).
The Memphis pitching staff has been another highlight to the start of the season, combining for a 3.71 ERA to rank second in The American and rank top 50 nationally.
Extra-base hits have been aplenty to begin the year as the Tigers have already hit for 27 doubles (No. 44 NCAA, No. 4 AAC) and four triples (No. 45 NCAA, No. 4 AAC).
Season-ticket packages and single-game tickets for Tiger home games are available at THIS LINK. Kids ages 17 and under receive free general admission all season long.
How to follow the Tigers: For complete information on Memphis Tiger Baseball and to purchase tickets, visit www.GoTigersGo.com and follow the team's social media channels on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
Players Mentioned
LHP
/ Baseball
RHP
/ Baseball
OF
/ Baseball
RHP
/ BaseballWolfchase Toyota Insider: Baseball Edition - May 14, 2025
Wednesday, May 14
Wolfchase Toyota Insider: Baseball Edition - May 6, 2025
Wednesday, May 07
Wolfchase Toyota Insider: Baseball Edition - April 29, 2025
Tuesday, April 29
Wolfchase Toyota Insider: Baseball Edition - April 22, 2025
Tuesday, April 22