Memphis Hosts Conference-Leading East Carolina to Open Final Homestand

Friday, May 1

Memphis, Tenn.

6:05 p.m.

University of Memphis

East Carolina

Buy Tickets

Memphis Hosts Conference-Leading East Carolina to Open Final Homestand

Apr 30, 2026 | Baseball

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The University of Memphis (16-27, 8-10 American) baseball team is set to host American Conference-leading East Carolina (28-17-1, 12-6 American) to begin a seven-game homestand this weekend. Game times are scheduled for 6:05 p.m. Friday, 4:05 p.m. Saturday and 1:05 p.m. Sunday.

East Carolina holds a 52-19 advantage in the all-time series against Memphis, with this weekend set to feature the 72nd, 73rd and 74th matchups between the two programs. A year ago, the Tigers traveled to Greenville, S.C., where they dropped a pair of close games on Friday and Saturday, 3-2 and 3-1, before falling in the finale, 11-1, in seven innings.

Memphis (16-27, 8-10 American) sits in sixth place in the American Conference with three other teams with 8-10 conference records right around them. On Tuesday the Tigers suffered a 5-9 defeat to the Murray State Racers. In the game, Memphis recorded six hits in the contest, highlighted by home runs from Javon Hernandez and Michael Gupton, with Hernandez driving in a team-high three runs. Murray State plated three runs in both the second and fourth innings to establish an early lead and maintained control the rest of the way.

Memphis has consistently applied pressure on the basepaths this season, swiping 100 bags for just the sixth time in program history, good for the top mark in the American Conference and 28th nationally. Senior Freddy Rodriguez has spearheaded that effort, going 34-for-39 in stolen base attempts to lead the league and rank fourth in the nation. He now sits just six steals shy of setting a new single-season program record.

The Tigers have been sharp defensively throughout the season, posting a .976 fielding percentage that ranks 62^nd in the nation. The Tigers have been charged with just 37 errors, putting them 11 below the program's lowest single-season total of 48, set in 2022. Their current mark is also just one point off the school record of .977, established in 2011.

Fourteen Tigers have gone deep this season, combining for 50 home runs as a team. Senior center fielder Michael Gupton added another to his tally on Tuesday and leads the club with 12 homers, ranking third in the conference.

East Carolina (28-17-1, 12-6 American) is currently tied for the top spot in the American with UTSA and UAB. Last weekend, the Pirates swept South Florida by a combined series score of 35-7. Friday, they run ruled the Bulls 11-1 in seven innings before playing a double-header on Saturday, claiming 12-4 and 12-2 wins. On Tuesday, ECU traveled to Raleigh, N.C. to take on NC State and suffered a 12-2 loss in eight innings.

On the mound, the Tigers will go to RHP Will Howell (4-5, 6.58 ERA) on Friday, LHP David Case (4-6, 5.88) for Saturday's game while Sunday's starter is to be determined. The Pirates will counter with LHP Ryan Towers (4-3, 4.55 ERA) in Friday's contest, followed by 2026 American Conference Preseason Pitcher of the Year Ethan Norby (5-1, 4.21 ERA) on Saturday while their Sunday starter is also to be determined.

At the plate, East Carolina has been led by American Conference OB% leader Jack Herring (.503 OB% / 22 XBH / 46 RBI), Grady Lenahan (.305 AVG / 7 HR / 40 RBI) and Braden Burress (.350 AVG / 62 H / 31 BB). As a team, the Pirates rank 35^th in strikeouts per nine innings (10), 37^th in hits (454), 42^nd in batting average (.302) and 45^th in runs (348).

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.