Memphis Heads to Charlotte Looking to Clinch First American Conference Tournament Berth Since 2023

Thursday, May 14

Charlotte, N.C.

5:05 p.m.

University of Memphis

Charlotte

Memphis Heads to Charlotte Looking to Clinch First American Conference Tournament Berth Since 2023

May 13, 2026 | Baseball

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The University of Memphis (21-30, 12-12 American) baseball team will end its regular season with a three-game series at Charlotte (26-26, 10-14 American) beginning Thursday. Game times are scheduled for 5:05 p.m. Thursday and Friday with the finale set for 12:05 p.m. Saturday.

Charlotte holds a 21-12 advantage in the all-time series against Memphis. This weekend's matchup will mark the 34th, 35th and 36th meetings between the two programs. The teams last met in 2025 at FedExPark Avron Fogelman Field, where the 49ers swept the three-game series with wins of 7-1, 7-4 and 6-5.

Memphis (21-30, 12-12 American) fell to MTSU on Tuesday in its final midweek game of the season. Despite battling back from multiple deficits and recording 13 hits, Memphis could not overcome a four-run seventh inning from Middle Tennessee as the Blue Raiders pulled away for the win. The Tigers will look to win their third straight conference series and clinch an American Conference Tournament berth for the first time since 2023.

Memphis has been aggressive on the basepaths throughout the season, swiping 120 stolen bases to post the second-highest single-season total in program history. The Tigers lead the American Conference in steals and rank 24^th nationally. Senior Freddy Rodriguez has spearheaded the effort, successfully stealing 42 bases in 47 attempts to lead the league and rank second in the nation. Rodriguez added three more steals Tuesday at Middle Tennessee, setting a new Memphis single-season record in the process.

Memphis has turned in a strong defensive season, posting a .974 fielding percentage that ranks 88^th in the nation. The Tigers have been charged with only 47 errors this year, just one shy of matching the program record low of 48 set during the 2022 season.

A total of 14 Tigers have recorded at least one home run this season, helping Memphis compile 60 long balls as a team. Senior center fielder Michael Gupton has paced the lineup with 13 homers, the second-most in the American Conference. James Smith IV has also provided plenty of pop, climbing into a tie for ninth in the league with 10 home runs after launching two more over the past week.

Charlotte (26-26, 10-14 American) comes into the weekend eighth in the American Conference and looking to stay alive in its hunt for a conference tournament berth. The 49ers took two of three at UAB last weekend and are coming off a 11-1 run-rule win over Gardner-Webb in the midweek.

On the mound, the Tigers will roll out RHP Will Howell (4-6, 7.53 ERA) on Thursday, LHP David Case (5-7, 5.77 ERA) for Friday's contest with Saturday's starter to be determined. The 49ers will counter with RHP Ryan Combs (3-2, 4.67 ERA) and RHP Eddie Copper (4-4, 5.36 ERA) while also leaving Saturday to be determined.

At the plate, Charlotte has been led by Dylan Koontz (.299 AVG / 11 HR / 50 RBI), Alec DeMartino (.332 AVG / 11 HR / 49 RBI), and Cody Gunderson (.337 AVG / 16 2B / 35 RBI). As a team, the 49ers rank 29^th in the nation in hits (527), 50^th in batting average (.299) and 78^th in home runs (62).

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