Memphis Rides Early Offense, Solid Pitching to 7-4 Win Over South Florida

Friday, April 3

Tampa, Fla.

5:35 p.m.

University of Memphis

10-19, 3-7

South Florida

23-8, 4-4

MEMPHIS

South Florida

Memphis Rides Early Offense, Solid Pitching to 7-4 Win Over South Florida

Apr 03, 2026 | Baseball

Box Score

TAMPA, Fla. – The University of Memphis (10-19, 3-5 American) baseball team bounced back with a 7-4 win over South Florida (23-8, 4-4 American) on Friday night at USF Baseball Stadium.

Memphis used a fast start at the plate and a strong outing on the mound from Will Howell to even the series at one game apiece.

The Tigers finished with 12 hits on the night, highlighted by a three-run home run from Michael Gupton in the first inning. Trae Cassidy led the offense with three RBIs, while Brady McAbee and Shane Cox each added multi-hit efforts.

On the mound, Howell delivered a solid start, working 6.1 innings while allowing four runs (three earned) and striking out a career-high six to earn the win.

South Florida threatened late, scoring three runs in the seventh to cut into the deficit, but Memphis held firm down the stretch to secure the victory.

Memphis will look for the series win against South Florida when they face off in the rubber match tomorrow at 12:05 p.m.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Memphis struck early in the top of the first inning. After Freddy Rodriguez reached and Trae Cassidy drove in a run, Michael Gupton launched a three-run homer to left field to give the Tigers a 4-0 lead.
The Tigers added two more in the second inning on a two-RBI single from Cassidy, extending the lead to 6-0.
South Florida got on the board in the sixth inning with a sacrifice fly to make it 6-1.
The Bulls made things interesting in the seventh, scoring three runs on a home run and a two-RBI double to cut the deficit to 6-4.
Memphis added an insurance run in the eighth inning when Javon Hernandez stole second and third before scoring on a wild pitch to push the lead to 7-4.
Carson Fair closed the door with three strikeouts in the ninth to secure the win and his conference-leading sixth save.

NOTABLES

Freddy Rodriguez, Javon Hernandez and Jack Little stole bases for the Tigers, bringing the team's season total to 71 steals, which ranks in the top 40 nationally.
- Rodriguez had three stolen bases Friday, the most in a single game in his Memphis career.
- Rodriguez is 23-for-26 on stolen base attempts this season which leads the American Conference and ranks top 10 in the nation
- Hernandez swiped two bags on the day to improve his perfect record to 14-for-14.
- Little added another stolen base, his fourth of the season
Memphis starting pitcher Will Howell had a career day on the mound.
- He pitched 6.1 innings, allowing four runs (3 earned) on six hits while striking out six and walking two batters. Of his 100 pitches thrown, 60 were for strikes.
- His 6.1 innings and six Ks are both career-highs.
Center fielder Michael Gupton provided a big swing for the Tigers in the first inning.
- His three-run shot to left center was his eighth homer of the season, the most of any Memphis player.
- Also leads the team in extra-base hits with 17.
Catcher Trae Cassidy was locked in at the plate, finishing 3-for-5 with three RBIs.
- His three hits and three RBIs are both career-highs for him at Memphis.
- Now has 15 hits and 15 RBIs on the year.
- Recorded his seventh multi-hit game along with his fifth multi-RBI game.
Second baseman Shane Cox continued his consistent offense for Memphis, recording another two hits on Friday.
- Cox maintained his team lead in hits, now with 38 and tallied his 12^th multi-hit game of the season, also a team high.
Designated hitter Brady McAbee continued his recent hot streak with two more hits.
- McAbee has totaled five of his nine hits of the season in the last three games.
- Collected his second multi-hit game.
Memphis closer Carson Fair shut down the Bulls lineup in the ninth, allowing a leadoff single before striking out the next three batters.
- Recorded his sixth save of the season, the most in the American Conference and top five in the nation.
- Now has 14 strikeouts on the year and boasts a team-best 4.05 ERA.

SCORING SUMMARY

Top 1:
Trae Cassidy singled, Freddy Rodriguez scored.
Michael Gupton homered, Shane Cox and Trae Cassidy scored.
Memphis 4, South Florida 0

Top 2:
Trae Cassidy singled, Freddy Rodriguez and Jack Little scored.
Memphis 6, South Florida 0

Bottom 6:
Jake Kulikowski hit a sacrifice fly, Jevin Relaford scored.
Memphis 6, South Florida 1

Bottom 7:
Lance Trippel homered.
Jevin Relaford doubled, Jack Lutz and Joey Brenczewski scored.
Memphis 6, South Florida 4

Top 8:
Javon Hernandez scored on a wild pitch.
Memphis 7, South Florida 4

UP NEXT

Memphis and South Florida will be back for the series rubber match tomorrow at 12:05 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.