Tigers Downed by Rebels, 7-1

Tuesday, March 3

Oxford, Miss.

6:35 p.m.

University of Memphis

3-9

Ole Miss

11-2

Memphis

Ole Miss

Mar 03, 2026 | Baseball

Box Score

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The University of Memphis (3-9) baseball team suffered a 7-1 defeat to Ole Miss (11-2) on Tuesday night in Oxford, Mississippi.

Memphis went up 1-0 in the top of the first but ended the inning trailing 2-1. Ole Miss added runs in the second and third innings via free passes and a home run. The Tigers were shutout after the first inning and at one point went on a streak of 15 straight batters retired. The Rebels scored two more runs in the sixth inning after their third home run of the game and claimed a 7-1 victory.

The Tigers will travel to Missouri State for their first away series, starting on March 6. The games are scheduled for 3:05 p.m., 2:05 p.m. and 1:05 p.m. in Springfield, Missouri.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Memphis took an early lead after alert baserunning from Freddy Rodriguez allowed him to score from third after James Smith IV stole second base.
Ole Miss hit right back in the bottom of the inning, with a Judd Utermark two-run home run to left field.
The Rebels extended their lead to 4-1 in the second inning when they scored two runs on a bases-loaded walk and hit-by-pitch.
The Tigers gave up home runs in the third and sixth innings and were shut down offensively down the stretch as Ole Miss secured a 7-1 win.

NOTABLES

James Smith IV and Tyler Harrington stole bases for the Tigers, bringing the team's season total to 28 steals, which ranks in the top 40 nationally and first in the American. Smith IV is 4-for-4 on stolen base attempts this season while this was Harrington's first steal of the season.
Tiger pitchers Lance Bryan and Jacob Dienes were both effective in relief. They pitched an inning each and did not allow a hit. Dienes added two strikeouts to bring his season tally to nine, third most on the team.
Second baseman Shane Cox hit the first triple by a Memphis batter this season. Cox smashed the ball to left-center field in the third inning and stopped safely at third after the Ole Miss outfielder crashed into the wall trying to make the grab.
- Cox extended his hit streak to five straight games and has at least one hit in 11 of 12 games thus far.
- He is also the only Memphis batter this season to have reached base safely in every game.

SCORING SUMMARY

Top 1:
James Smith IV stole second, Freddy Rodriguez scored.
Memphis 1, Ole Miss 0

Bottom 1:
Judd Utermark homered, Dom Decker scored.
Memphis 1, Ole Miss 2

Bottom 2:
Judd Utermark walked, Brayden Randle scored.
Collin Reuter hit by pitch, Hayden Federico scored.
Memphis 1, Ole Miss 4

Bottom 3:
Topher Jones homered.
Memphis 1, Ole Miss 5

Bottom 6:
Judd Utermark homered, Dom Decker scored.
Memphis 1, Ole Miss 7

UP NEXT

Memphis will continue its road trip in Springfield, Missouri for a weekend series with Missouri State. First pitch on Friday is set for 3:05 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.