Tigers Blast Three Homers in 8-3 Win Over Central Arkansas

Tuesday, May 5

Memphis, Tenn.

3:05 p.m.

University of Memphis

19-28

Central Arkansas

27-22

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	Runs R	Hits H	Errors E
Central Arkansas	1	1	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	3	6	1
Memphis	0	0	2	5	0	0	1	0	X	8	12	0

Tigers Blast Three Homers in 8-3 Win Over Central Arkansas

May 05, 2026 | Baseball

Box Score

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The University of Memphis (19-28, 10-11 American) baseball team powered past Central Arkansas (27-22, 14-10 ASUN) Tuesday afternoon with an 8-3 victory in the Tigers' final home midweek game of the 2026 season at FedExPark Avron Fogelman Field.

Memphis used a five-run fourth inning and three home runs to take control after falling behind early. The Tigers totaled 12 hits on the afternoon and received strong relief pitching to secure the victory.

Charlie Smith (1-2) earned his first win of the season after tossing 4.0 innings in relief, allowing just two hits and one run while striking out one. Nolan McCracken and Brayden Sanders combined for two scoreless innings to close out the game.

Memphis begins its final home series of the season this weekend against American Conference leaders UTSA. Friday's first pitch is set for 6:05 p.m. at FedExPark Avron Fogelman Field.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Central Arkansas opened the scoring in the first inning on a leadoff home run from Parker Gwyn.
The Bears added another run in the second on a wild pitch to take a 2-0 lead.
Memphis answered in the third inning with RBI hits from third baseman Freddy Rodriguez and designated hitter Brady McAbee to even the game at 2-2.
The Tigers erupted for five runs in the fourth inning, highlighted by solo home runs from center fielder Michael Gupton and designated hitter Brady McAbee along with a two-run blast from shortstop Javon Hernandez.
Central Arkansas cut into the deficit in the sixth inning with a solo homer from Keaton Laidley.
Memphis added an insurance run in the seventh when second baseman Shane Cox singled home Gupton to make it 8-3.
The Tigers' bullpen held the Bears scoreless over the final three innings to secure the victory.

NOTABLES

Tuesday's win marked the 1,999^th in Memphis program history.
Freddy Rodriguez, Javon Hernandez, and Michael Gupton all stole bases for the Tigers, bringing the team's season total to 108 steals, which ranks in the top 30 nationally and first in the conference.
- The 108 steals are the fourth-most in a single season in school history.
- Rodriguez increased his total to 37, just three shy of the Memphis school record and first in the American Conference.
- Hernandez added two more steals, now totaling 23 on the season, which ranks third in the conference.
- Gupton tallied his 13^th swipe of the season.
Third baseman Freddy Rodriguez went 2-for-4 with two RBI singles in the game.
- Rodriguez now leads the team with 51 hits on the season to go along with his 25 RBI and 14 multi-hit games.
Designated hitter Brady McAbee sent a ball over the left field wall to cap off the Tigers three home run, five-run fourth inning.
- The homer was his fifth of the season as he recorded his seventh multi-hit and fourth multi-RBI game thus far.
Shortstop Javon Hernandez continued his recent power surge, finishing 2-for-4 with a home run.
- Hernandez crushed an opposite-field dinger for his fourth in his last nine games.
- Has now collected 50 hits, 20 RBI and 14 multi-hit games this season.
Center fielder Michael Gupton started the big fourth inning with a 422-foot bomb to left.
- Gupton smashed his 13^th home run of the season, second most in the American Conference.
- Now totals 50 hits and 40 RBI on the year.
Left fielder Webb Watson batted in the nine hole and ended the day 2-for-4 with a double.
- The double was his third of the season as he also recorded his third multi-hit game thus far.
Second baseman Shane Cox was the fourth Tiger who recorded their 50^th hit on Tuesday.
- Cox's big hit came in the form of an RBI single in the seventh to give Memphis another insurance run.
Memphis' pitching staff had a solid day, limiting the Bears offense to just three runs on six hits.
- Starter Seth Impson posted a final line of 3.0 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 1 BB and 1 K
- Charlie Smith was first out of the bullpen and recorded the win with a final stat line of 4.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R and 1 K. The win was his first this season.
- Nolan McCracken and Brayden Sanders closed out the game, each pitching a scoreless frame, allowing no hits and striking out two.

SCORING SUMMARY

Top 1:
Parker Gwyn homered.
Memphis 0, Central Arkansas 1

Top 2:
Casey Shipley scored on a wild pitch.
Memphis 0, Central Arkansas 2

Bottom 3:
Freddy Rodriguez singled, Cade Hitson scored.
Brady McAbee hit a sacrifice fly, Webb Watson scored.
Memphis 2, Central Arkansas 2

Bottom 4:
Michael Gupton homered.
Freddy Rodriguez singled, Webb Watson scored.
Javon Hernandez homered, Freddy Rodriguez scored.
Brady McAbee homered.
Memphis 7, Central Arkansas 2

Top 6:
Keaton Laidley homered.
Memphis 7, Central Arkansas 3

Bottom 7:
Shane Cox singled, Michael Gupton scored.
Memphis 8, Central Arkansas 3

UP NEXT

Memphis will begin its final home series this weekend against UTSA. Game times are set for 6:05 p.m., 2:05 p.m. and 1:05 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.