Smith IV Homers in Tigers’ Game Two Loss to UTSA, Rubber Match Moved to 11:05 a.m.

Saturday, May 9

Memphis, Tenn.

2:05 p.m.

University of Memphis

20-29, 11-12

UTSA

34-16, 16-7

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	Runs R	Hits H	Errors E
UTSA	0	4	1	0	1	1	1	1	0	9	13	2
Memphis	0	1	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	9	2

Smith IV Homers in Tigers’ Game Two Loss to UTSA, Rubber Match Moved to 11:05 a.m.

May 09, 2026 | Baseball

Box Score

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The University of Memphis (20-29, 11-12 American) baseball team fell to American Conference-leading UTSA (34-16, 16-7 American) by a score of 9-2 Saturday afternoon at FedExPark Avron Fogelman Field. First pitch for tomorrow's series finale has been moved up to 11:05 a.m. in anticipation of inclement weather.

The Roadrunners used a four-run second inning to grab control early before adding insurance runs throughout the afternoon to even the weekend series. Memphis totaled nine hits on the day, led by James Smith IV who homered and drove in both Tiger runs.

Conor Myles (9-1) earned the win for UTSA after allowing just two runs over 6.0 innings while striking out seven. David Case (5-7) took the loss for Memphis.

Memphis and UTSA will wrap up the series tomorrow afternoon at FedExPark Avron Fogelman Field. First pitch for the final home game of the season is scheduled for 11:05 a.m.

HOW IT HAPPENED

UTSA jumped ahead in the second inning after Brandon Bishop lifted a sacrifice fly before Aidan Eshelman and Drew Detlefsen each delivered RBI hits to give the Roadrunners a 4-0 advantage.
Memphis answered in the bottom half of the inning when left fielder James Smith IV launched a solo homer to deep left field to cut the deficit to 4-1.
The Roadrunners added another run in the third on a Josh Arquette sacrifice fly to extend the lead to 5-1.
The Tigers trimmed the deficit in the bottom of the third after Freddy Rodriguez singled and later scored on a two-out RBI double from Smith.
UTSA pushed the lead to 6-2 in the sixth inning on an RBI single from Garrett Gruell.
The Roadrunners added single runs in the seventh and eighth innings to build the final margin.
Memphis put a runner aboard in both the eighth and ninth innings but was unable to mount a comeback as UTSA secured the victory.

NOTABLES

Freddy Rodriguez stole a base for the Tigers, bringing the team's season total to 112 steals, which ranks in the top 30 nationally and first in the conference.
- The 112 steals are the second-most in a single season in school history.
- Rodriguez increased his total to 38, just two shy of the Memphis school record and third in the country.
Outfielder James Smith IV had the most notable day at the plate for the Tigers, finishing 2-for-4 with a home run and two RBI.
- Smith launched his ninth homer of the season in the second inning, second most on the team.
- Also recorded his eighth double of the year to go along with his 10 multi-hit games and team-leading 11 multi-RBI games.
Third baseman Freddy Rodriguez posted a three-hit day for Memphis.
- Rodriguez's three singles bring his season hit total to 54, the most by any Tiger this season.
- He also leads the team in batting average (.289) and multi-hit games (15).
- Saturday marked his third game of the year with three or more hits.
Center fielder Michael Gupton followed Smith's second inning homer with an extra-base hit of his own by way of a double.
- Gupton's double was his 10^th of the season and his 25^th extra-base hit thus far, the most on the team.
Reliver Charlie Smith finished the game for the Tigers and pitched a scoreless 1.1 innings allowing two hits.
- Smith recorded his second scoreless outing of the season Saturday against the Roadrunners.

SCORING SUMMARY

Top 2:
Brandon Bishop hit a sacrifice fly, Cade Sadler scored.
Aidan Eshelman singled, Josh Arquette scored.
Drew Detlefsen singled, Jordan Ballin and Aidan Eshelman scored.
Memphis 0, UTSA 4

Bottom 2:
James Smith IV homered.
Memphis 1, UTSA 4

Top 3:
Josh Arquette hit a sacrifice fly, Garrett Gruell scored.
Memphis 1, UTSA 5

Bottom 3:
James Smith IV doubled, Javon Hernandez scored.
Memphis 2, UTSA 5

Top 5:
Josh Arquette grounded out, Andrew Stucky scored.
Memphis 2, UTSA 6

Top 6:
Garrett Gruell singled, Caden Miller scored.
Memphis 2, UTSA 7

Top 7:
Caden Miller singled, Aidan Eshelman scored.
Memphis 2, UTSA 8

Top 8:
Christian Hallmark singled, Cade Sadler scored.
Memphis 2, UTSA 9

UP NEXT

Memphis and UTSA will meet again tomorrow at 11:05 for the rubber match of the series.

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.