Tigers Look to Build Momentum in Weekend Series with Eastern Illinois

Friday, March 13

Memphis, Tenn.

6:05 p.m.

University of Memphis

Eastern Illinois

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Tigers Look to Build Momentum in Weekend Series with Eastern Illinois

Mar 12, 2026 | Baseball

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The University of Memphis (4-12) baseball team will return to FedExPark Avron Fogelman Field this weekend to host Eastern Illinois (6-7) in a three-game series beginning Friday night.

First pitch is scheduled for 6:05 p.m. Friday, followed by a 2:05 p.m. game on Saturday and a 1:05 p.m. finale Sunday.

This will mark the eighth all-time series between the two programs. Memphis leads the overall series 17-8, although Eastern Illinois swept the most recent meeting in late February of the 2018 season by scores of 3-1, 10-9 and 6-2.

Memphis (4-12) enters the weekend looking to build momentum after picking up a 5-2 win over Lipscomb earlier in the week. The Tigers scored four runs in the second inning and got solid performances from the bullpen to shut down the Bisons down the stretch.

The Tigers have been aggressive on the base paths this season, swiping 35 stolen bases, which ranks among the top totals in The American and inside the top 50 nationally. Senior Freddy Rodriguez is 9-for-10 on stolen-base attempts this season and is tied for 46^th in the country.

Eight different Tigers have launched homers this season, combining for 17 as a team. Senior center fielder Michael Gupton leads the team with five and ranks fifth in the conference.

Offensively, Memphis has been led by Shane Cox, who leads the team in batting average (.382), hits (26) and extra-base hits (9). Cox has consistently produced at the plate early in the season and has recorded at least one hit in 15 of 16 games this season.

Eastern Illinois (6-7) enters the series after taking two of three games against Bellarmine last weekend. The Panthers claimed an 11-4 win in the opener, split a Saturday doubleheader with a 4-2 victory in game one, and dropped the finale 8-2.

On the mound, Memphis is expected to send recent Pitcher of the Year Watch List nominee RHP Will Howell (0-3, 6.23 ERA) to the hill in Friday's opener, followed by LHP David Case (1-3, 5.71 ERA) on Saturday, while Sunday's starter has yet to be determined. The Panthers will send a trio of right-handed pitchers to the mound this weekend. RHP Tyler Conklin (3-0, 2.66 ERA) will start Friday, RHP Bryce Riggs (2-0, 1.19 ERA) will throw Saturday and RHP Anthony Solis (0-2, 11.37 ERA) will close out the weekend. Conklin earned Second Team All-OVC honors in 2025, while Riggs has drawn national attention this season after being named to the 2026 Pitcher of the Year Watch List.

At the plate, Eastern Illinois has been led by James Love (18 H / 3 HR / 14 RBI), Brett Stanley (17 H / 7 BB / 3 2B) and Peyton Wilson (13 H / 3 2B / 10 RBI). As a team, the Panthers have been aggressive offensively, ranking 11th in the nation in triples with seven this season.

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