Tigers' Opening Day Comeback Falls Short

Friday, February 13

Memphis, Tenn.

4:05 p.m.

University of Memphis

0-1

Toledo

1-0

Toledo

Memphis

Feb 13, 2026 | Baseball

Box Score

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The University of Memphis baseball team scored five runs in the final three innings before its comeback was cut short in their opening day matchup with Toledo at FedExPark Avron Fogelman Field on Friday afternoon.

The Tigers will look to even the series tomorrow in a weather-adjusted 11:05 a.m. matchup with the Rockets.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Memphis started strong when graduate transfer Javon Hernandez drew a walk in the Tigers first at-bat of the season, Hernandez then stole second and advanced to third on a throwing error before scoring the first run of the season for Memphis after a Freddy Rodriguez groundout.
Seth Garner got into a bases-loaded jam in the top of the second before striking out Liam Arsich to leave three Rockets stranded.
Toledo would strike back in the top of the fourth inning, scoring six runs on five hits and two Tiger errors.
The Rockets extended their lead in the top of the sixth inning with a pair of RBI doubles.
Memphis began their comeback in the bottom of seventh when Shane Cox scored on an RBI single from Tyler Harrington.
In the bottom of the eighth, Trae Cassidy delivered a huge two RBI single that drove in Rodriguez and James Smith IV.
Going into the final frame the Tigers would cut the Toledo lead to two after another two RBI single, this time by veteran Cox.
Toledo pitcher Nate Langbehn would strike out the final Memphis batter, ending the Tigers comeback attempt two runs short.

NOTABLES

Cox and Cassidy would both record two hits and two RBI, these were the first hits and RBI as a Tiger for Cassidy while both of Cox's RBI came with two outs.
Hernandez recorded the first stolen base for the Tigers this season and the first of his Memphis career.
Freshman RHP Lance Bryan made his collegiate debut, pitching 2.2 innings while allowing two runs on three hits and adding two strikeouts.
Jacob Dienes made his Tiger debut, pitching a hitless final 1.1 innings for Memphis.
Hernandez, Cassidy, and Harrington all recorded their first hits for Memphis.

SCORING SUMMARY

Bottom 1:

Javon Hernandez scored on a groundout by Freddy Rodriguez.

Memphis 1, Toledo 0

Top 4:

Jacob Payne and Saborn Campbell scored on a double by Liam Arsich.

Liam Arsich scored on a single by Charlie Scholvin.

Charlie Scholvin scored on a double by Alex McCranie.

Alex McCranie and Luke Walton scored on a fielding error.

Memphis 1, Toledo 6

Top 6:

Luke Walton scored on a double by Jacob Payne.

Jacob Payne scored on a double by Cole Cahill.

Memphis 1, Toledo 8

Bottom 7:

Shane Cox scored on a single by Tyler Harrington.

Memphis 2, Toledo 8

Bottom 8:

Freddy Rodriguez and James Smith IV scored on a single by Trae Cassidy.

Memphis 4, Toledo 8

Bottom 9:

Michael Gupton and James Smith IV scored on a single by Shane Cox.

Memphis 6, Toledo 8

UP NEXT

The Tigers are back at FedExPark Avron Fogelman Field on Saturday morning at 11:05 a.m. for game two against the Rockets.

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.