Smith IV’s Grand Slam, Seven RBIs Highlight Tigers’ Loss to Eastern Illinois

Saturday, March 14

Memphis, Tenn.

2:05 p.m.

University of Memphis

5-13

Eastern Illinois

7-8

Eastern Illinois

Memphis

Smith IV’s Grand Slam, Seven RBIs Highlight Tigers’ Loss to Eastern Illinois

Mar 14, 2026 | Baseball

Box Score

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The University of Memphis (5-13) baseball team fell 12-7 to Eastern Illinois (7-8) Saturday afternoon at FedExPark Avron Fogelman Field.

The Panthers collected 20 hits on the day and scored in seven different innings to secure the win. Memphis jumped out to an early lead with a three-run home run by James Smith IV in the first inning, but Eastern Illinois steadily chipped away before pulling away late. A grand slam by Smith in the seventh gave the Tigers life before being shutout in the final two innings.

Eastern Illinois starting pitcher Bryce Riggs earned the win, improving to 3-0 on the season after allowing three runs across five innings with six strikeouts. James Geshel recorded the save after tossing the final 2.2 innings. Memphis starter David Case suffered the loss, falling to 1-4 on the year.

Memphis will return to FedExPark Avron Fogelman Field tomorrow afternoon for the series finale against Eastern Illinois. First pitch is scheduled for 1:05 p.m.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Eastern Illinois struck first in the opening inning when Brett Stanley launched a solo home run to left field to give the Panthers a 1-0 lead.
Memphis responded immediately in the bottom half of the frame as designated hitter James Smith IV blasted a three-run homer to left field, scoring Freddy Rodriguez and Shane Cox to put the Tigers ahead 3-1.
The Panthers cut into the deficit in the third inning with a pair of runs, highlighted by RBI singles from Kyree Alexander and Peyton Wilson to even the game at 3-3.
Eastern Illinois continued its offensive surge in the fourth inning, scoring twice on RBI singles from Stanley and Chris Worcester to take a 5-3 lead.
The Panthers added another run in the fifth on an RBI double from Joey Hagen before plating two more in the sixth on a two-run single from Wilson to extend the lead to 8-3.
Memphis mounted a rally in the seventh inning. Trae Cassidy doubled before Rodriguez and Cox drew walks to load the bases. Smith IV then delivered his second homer of the day, a grand slam to left field that trimmed the deficit to 8-7.
Eastern Illinois answered late with two runs in the eighth and two more in the ninth, including RBI doubles from Alexander and Ethan Rossi, to seal the 12-7 victory.

NOTABLES

James Smith IV went 3-for-5 with seven RBIs, including a three-run homer and a grand slam.
- His seven RBI are the most by a Tiger since Austin Baskin had nine against Tulane on May 18, 2023.
- Hit his third and fourth homers of the season, bringing his total to four (2^nd most on the team).
- Smith IV accounted for all seven Memphis RBIs in the contest.
- Recorded his fifth multi-hit game this season.
Marcus Smith pinch-ran and stole the 40^th base for the Tigers on the season, which ranks in the top 40 nationally.
- Smith is a perfect 3-3 on stolen base attempts.
Right fielder Cade Hitson went 2-for-4 on Saturday.
- Hitson has recorded multiple hits in both games this series, in just his second and third starts of the year.
After drawing three walks on Saturday, first baseman Shane Cox continued his streak of reaching base safely in every game thus far.
- Cox has recorded at least one hit in 15 of 17 games this season.
- Cox leads the Tigers in batting average (.380), hits (27), doubles (7), and extra-base hits (10).

SCORING SUMMARY

Top 1:
Brett Stanley homered.
Memphis 0, Eastern Illinois 1

Bottom 1:
James Smith IV homered, Freddy Rodriguez and Shane Cox scored.
Memphis 3, Eastern Illinois 1

Top 3:
Kyree Alexander singled, Brett Stanley scored.
Peyton Wilson singled, Kyree Alexander scored.
Memphis 3, Eastern Illinois 3

Top 4:
Brett Stanley singled, Mike O'Conor scored.
Chris Worcester singled, Luke Melton scored.
Memphis 3, Eastern Illinois 5

Top 5:
Joey Hagen doubled, Peyton Wilson scored.
Memphis 3, Eastern Illinois 6

Top 6:
Peyton Wilson singled, Chris Worcester and Kyree Alexander scored.
Memphis 3, Eastern Illinois 8
Bottom 7:
James Smith IV homered, Trae Cassidy, Freddy Rodriguez and Shane Cox scored.
Memphis 7, Eastern Illinois 8

Top 8:
Kyree Alexander doubled, Chris Worcester scored.
Ethan Rossi doubled, Kyree Alexander scored.
Memphis 7, Eastern Illinois 10

Top 9:
Kyree Alexander singled, Brett Stanley scored.
Peyton Wilson singled, Kyree Alexander scored.
Memphis 7, Eastern Illinois 12

UP NEXT

Memphis will be back at FedExPark Avron Fogelman Field tomorrow for the rubber match with Eastern Illinois. 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.