Tigers Set for Homestand Finale Against Arkansas State

Tuesday, March 31

Memphis, Tenn.

6:05 p.m.

University of Memphis

Arkansas State

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Tigers Set for Homestand Finale Against Arkansas State

Mar 30, 2026 | Baseball

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The University of Memphis (8-18, 2-4 American) baseball team will play host to Arkansas State (18-9, 5-4 Sun Belt) to cap off its five game homestand on Tuesday. First pitch is scheduled for 6:05 p.m. at FedExPark Avron Fogelman Field.

Memphis holds a 68-37 advantage in the all-time series against Arkansas State, with Tuesday's contest set to be the 106th meeting between the programs. The two teams faced off twice a season ago, beginning with a 4-2 Tigers loss in Jonesboro. In the most recent matchup on April 22, 2025, the Red Wolves earned an 8-6 win in Memphis.

Memphis (8-18, 2-4 American) enters Tuesday after dropping two of three at home to Wichita State over the weekend. The Tigers were held to six hits in the opener as the Shockers scored in five innings to pull away but bounced back in game two with a run-rule win behind nine hits, timely offense and a dominant performance on the mound. In the series finale, Memphis again fell behind as Wichita State used a pair of multi-run innings to seize control midway through the game.

Memphis has been highly aggressive on the basepaths this season, swiping 62 bags to lead the American Conference and rank 31st nationally. Senior Freddy Rodriguez has led the effort, going 20-for-22 on stolen-base attempts, a mark that ranks first in the conference and 10th in the nation.

A dozen Tigers have gone deep this season, combining for 31 home runs as a team. Senior center fielder Michael Gupton has led the way with seven, a total that ranks sixth in the conference. Gupton also ranks sixth in the American in slugging percentage at .635.

2025 MLB Draft pick James Smith IV has been huge for Memphis offensively this season. Starting most games at designated hitter, his 31 RBIs thus far are sixth most in the conference.

Shane Cox has been a key offensive force for Memphis, pacing the team with a .333 batting average while also leading in hits (33) and extra-base hits (13). He has delivered steady production all season, tallying at least one hit in 21 of the Tigers' 26 games.

Arkansas State (18-9, 5-4 Sun Belt) arrives in Memphis after taking two of three at home against James Madison. The Red Wolves opened the series with an 11-9 Friday night win, scoring all 11 runs via home runs to fuel a late surge. They dropped game two in extra innings on Saturday, falling 11-10 after being held scoreless over the final three frames. Arkansas State rebounded in Sunday's finale, limiting James Madison to just one run and allowing no earned runs to secure a 2-1 victory and its fifth home series win of the season.

On the mound, the Tigers will start LHP Logan Rushing (0-1, 6.00 ERA), hoping to get the same production from him and the bullpen that they provided last Tuesday in Memphis' 6-2 upset over No. 18 Ole Miss. The Red Wolves will counter with RHP Houston Tomlinson (0-0, 0.00 ERA), a redshirt-freshman who has only pitched 3.2 innings for Arkansas State this season.

At the plate, Wichita State has been led by Lane Walton (33 H / 10 HR / 33 RBI), Cason Campbell (.338 AVG / 1.024 OPS / 11 BB) and Patrick Engskov (29 H / 7 2B / 8 SB). As a team, the Red Wolves have pitched well to this point in the season, ranking 13^th in ERA (3.38), 11^th in WHIP (1.18) and third in walks allowed per nine innings (2.97).

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