Cox, Watson Homer in Loss to Jacksonville State

Saturday, February 28

Memphis, Tenn.

2:05 p.m.

University of Memphis

3-7

Jacksonville State

9-2

Jacksonville State

Memphis

Feb 28, 2026 | Baseball

Box Score

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The University of Memphis (3-7) baseball team suffered a 9-4 defeat to Jacksonville State (9-2) on Saturday afternoon in the second game of the series.

The Gamecocks got on the board early, building a 6-0 lead heading into the bottom of the third before Webb Watson's third home run of the season gave the Tigers life. The two teams went back and forth with Jax State scoring a run in the fifth, Memphis adding a third run in the sixth from a Shane Cox solo shot and both teams scoring in the eighth inning. The Tigers had opportunities with runners in scoring position in the final two innings but could not overcome the Gamecocks' early lead as Jax State won, 9-4.

The Tigers will return to FedExPark Avron Fogelman Field tomorrow for the final game of the series with Jacksonville State.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Jacksonville State wasted no time getting a runner in scoring position as leadoff man Trey King doubled and later scored on another double from Brady Thomas.
The Gamecocks continued their offensive display in the second, scoring four runs on four hits including another double and a home run.
In the third inning, Jax State extended its lead to 6-0 until the bottom of the inning when Webb Watson hit a two-run shot to right field that plated himself and Tyler Harrington.
Jax State added to its extra-base hit total in the fifth when Luke Williams hit a home run to right field, making the score 7-2.
Memphis second baseman Shane Cox blasted his first home run of the season in the bottom of the sixth to get one back for the Tigers.
Thomas proved troublesome again for Memphis, hitting an RBI triple in the eighth inning that got just past the glove of center fielder Michael Gupton.
The last run of the game was scored by the Tigers in the bottom of the eighth. Memphis loaded the bases but scored only once after Watson flew out to left, Gupton reached on a fielder's choice that scored Parker Price and Javon Hernandez lined out to end the promising inning.
Memphis put runners on the corners with no outs in the ninth but again could not come through after Cox struck out and Brady McAbee grounded into a 4-6-3 double play to end the game.

NOTABLES

Jacksonville State scored four of its nine runs with two outs in the inning. 41 of the 80 runs allowed by the Tigers have come with two outs (51.3%).
Second baseman Shane Cox improved his season hit total to 18 after going 3-for-5 on the day, Cox has at least one hit in nine of 10 games so far this season and is batting .439.
- Cox also hit his first home run of the season, a solo shot in the sixth.
Cox, along with shortstop Javon Hernandez and right fielder James Smith IV, have reached base in all 10 games so far.
Third baseman Freddy Rodriguez had a good day at the plate, also going 3-for-5 with a double.
- His three hits are a season high, and he sits at 12 hits on the year.
Left fielder Webb Watson hit his third home run of the season for the Tigers, tied for the team lead with Michael Gupton.
Smith IV became the third Memphis batter to reach 10 hits this season after his single in the ninth inning.
Lefty reliever Jacob Dienes pitched the final 1.1 innings for the Tigers, striking out three batters and did not allow a baserunner.

SCORING SUMMARY

Top 1:
Brady Thomas doubled, Trey King scored.
Memphis 0, Jacksonville State 1

Top 2:
Trey King hit a sacrifice fly, Matthew Cash scored.
Cooper Blauser doubled, Orlando Pena scored.
Brady Thomas homered, Cooper Blauser scored.
Memphis 0, Jacksonville State 5

Top 3:
Caleb Johnson hit a sacrifice fly, Jaxon Pate scored.
Memphis 0, Jacksonville State 6

Bottom 3:
Webb Watson homered, Tyler Harrington scored.
Memphis 2, Jacksonville State 6

Top 5:
Luke Williams homered.
Memphis 2, Jacksonville State 7

Bottom 6:
Shane Cox homered.
Memphis 3, Jacksonville State 7

Top 8:
Brady Thomas tripled, Trey King scored.
Brady Thomas scored on a wild pitch.
Memphis 3, Jacksonville State 9

Bottom 8:
Michael Gupton reached on a fielder's choice, Parker Price scored.
Memphis 4, Jacksonville State 9

UP NEXT

Memphis will be back Sunday for the final game of the series against Jacksonville State at FedExPark Avron Fogelman Field. First pitch is set for 1:05 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.