Tigers Travel to South Florida; Series Opener Time Changed

Thursday, April 2

Tampa, Fla.

1:05 p.m.

University of Memphis

South Florida

Tigers Travel to South Florida; Series Opener Time Changed

Apr 01, 2026 | Baseball

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The University of Memphis (9-18, 2-4 American) baseball team will travel to South Florida (22-7, 3-3 American) for a three-game series starting on Thursday in Tampa, Florida. Game one on Thursday has been moved to 1:05 p.m. due to incoming weather in the area. Game times for Friday and Saturday are still scheduled for 5:35 p.m. and 12:05 p.m., respectively.

South Florida holds a 38-30 advantage in the all-time series against Memphis, with this weekend's matchup set to be the 69th, 70th and 71st meetings between the two programs. The Bulls visited Memphis last season and claimed the series, taking two of three games. South Florida opened with a 5-1 victory and secured the series with a 12-7 win on Saturday, while the Tigers avoided the sweep with a 13-8 win in Sunday's finale.

Memphis (9-18, 2-4 American) enters the series off another midweek win over a quality opponent, this time defeating Arkansas State. Memphis built an early cushion with a pair of four-run innings and held off a late surge from Arkansas State, which tallied 12 hits and nine runs, including a six-run fifth fueled by four home runs, as the Tigers delivered timely hitting to secure the win.

Memphis has been aggressive on the basepaths all season, recording 63 stolen bases to lead the American Conference and rank 30th nationally. Senior Freddy Rodriguez has spearheaded that effort, successfully swiping 20 bags in 23 attempts, a total that leads the conference and ranks 10th in the country.

Thirteen different Tigers have hit home runs this season, combining for 32 as a team. Senior center fielder Michael Gupton leads the group with seven long balls, ranking sixth in the conference, and also sits sixth in the American with a .634 slugging percentage.

2025 MLB Draft pick James Smith IV has been a key contributor for Memphis at the plate this season. Primarily serving as the designated hitter, he has driven in 31 runs, a total that ranks sixth in the conference.

Shane Cox has been a key offensive force for Memphis, pacing the team with a .340 batting average while also leading in hits (35) and doubles (10). He has delivered steady production all season, tallying at least one hit in 21 of the Tigers' 27 games.

South Florida (22-7, 3-3 American) is coming off a 6-5 midweek lost to Bethune-Cookman on Tuesday. South Florida opened the scoring in the first on an RBI single, but Bethune-Cookman answered with a six-run fifth inning fueled by timely hitting and capitalizing on defensive miscues to take a 6-1 lead. The Bulls chipped away in the sixth, after a two-run double cut the deficit to 6-3. South Florida mounted a late push in the ninth, highlighted by an RBI single and a run-scoring fielder's choice, bringing the tying run to third. However, the rally fell short with a strikeout to end the game, sealing a 6-5 win for the Wildcats.

On the mound, the Tigers will start RHP Seth Garner (0-3, 8.87 ERA), on Thursday, RHP Will Howell (2-4, 5.91 ERA) on Friday and LHP David Case (2-5, 6.89 ERA) on Saturday. The Bulls will send out LHP Edwin Alicea (4-2, 4.85 ERA) Thursday, a pitcher to be announced for Friday and two-time American Conference Pitcher of the Week RHP Michael Senay (5-0, 1.54 ERA) for Saturday.

At the plate, South Florida has been led by Jevin Relaford (27 H / 19 SB / 14 RBI), Bradke Lohry (33 H / 16 RBI / 23 BB) and Lance Trippel (29 H / 9 2B / 18 RBI). As a team, the Bulls have played tremendous defense this season, ranking sixth in the nation in fielding percentage (.985), ninth in WHIP (1.19) and 18^th in ERA (3.70).

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.