The University of Memphis baseball team opens its 2026 campaign on Friday afternoon, hosting Toledo in a three-game weekend series at FedExPark Avron Fogelman Field. First pitch for Game 1 is scheduled for 4:05 p.m., with full streaming coverage available on ESPN+.
This weekend marks only the second all-time meeting between the two programs. The Rockets claimed an 8–6 victory over the Tigers back in the 2010 College Baseball Classic, a result the current Memphis team will look to reverse as the new season begins.
Smith Returns to Strengthen Lineup
Senior two-way standout James Smith IV headlines Memphis’ season-opening roster after an injury-shortened 2025 campaign. The Olive Branch, Mississippi native was selected by the New York Mets in the 14th round (433rd overall) of last summer’s MLB Draft but chose to return to Memphis for his senior year.
Smith entered last season on the John Olerud Two-Way Player of the Year Award Watch List and was one of the Tigers’ most dynamic players before his injury. He hit .277 with a .792 OPS, 12 extra-base hits, 19 RBI, and eight stolen bases through 29 games, while also logging five innings on the mound. Healthy again, Smith’s presence adds versatility and leadership to a lineup eager to start fast in 2026.
Cox and Sanders Garner Preseason Honors
The Tigers feature an experienced core led by infielder Shane Cox and pitcher Brayden Sanders, both selected to the American Athletic Conference Preseason All-Conference Team in late December.
Cox returns for his fifth season and continues to serve as the team’s offensive centerpiece. In 2025, he led Memphis in nearly every hitting category, batting .286 with 20 extra-base hits, 31 RBI, and eight stolen bases. His consistency and veteran approach at the plate set the tone for an offense that should show more depth this year.
Sanders, meanwhile, returns as one of the conference’s top relief arms. The right-hander has led Memphis in saves in back-to-back seasons, highlighted by a 2024 campaign in which he led the AAC and ranked in the top 20 nationally with nine saves. His reliability in the late innings will again be critical as the Tigers face a challenging early schedule.
Pitching Shows Signs of Growth
A major storyline last season was the Tigers’ improvement on the mound. After finishing with a team ERA of 6.62 in 2024, Memphis trimmed that number to 5.09 in 2025 — ranking fourth in the AAC and 75th nationally. The staff’s development gives head coach Matt Riser reason to believe his rotation can take another step forward this spring.
The weekend rotation for Opening Weekend will feature right-handers Seth Garner and Will Howell, along with left-hander David Case. Garner led the staff with 75.2 innings last year, providing consistent work deep into games. Howell brings experience and command to the middle game, while Case impressed in 2025 with 63 strikeouts and several dominant outings late in the season.
Behind them, Sanders anchors a bullpen that has improved in both depth and velocity. Several underclassmen are expected to compete for midweek and middle-inning roles, giving Jackson more flexibility with matchups as the season unfolds.
Toledo Offers Early Test
Memphis faces an early challenge in Toledo, a program that finished 2025 strong and reached the Mid-American Conference Tournament Championship Game for just the third time in school history. The Rockets closed last season by winning five consecutive conference series, going 12–3 over their final 15 games. They were picked to finish fourth in this year’s MAC Preseason Coaches’ Poll.
Toledo’s weekend rotation will feature right-handers Brady Sasse, Nathan Leininger, and Ryan Hughes. Sasse, the 2025 MAC Freshman Pitcher of the Year, posted a 3.51 ERA and quickly emerged as the staff ace. Leininger and Hughes, both of whom spent last year in bullpen roles, move into starting duties for the 2026 season.
A New Year, A Fresh Opportunity
For Memphis, the 2026 season brings both optimism and unfinished business. The Tigers return key leadership pieces, a deeper pitching staff, and several potential breakout contributors looking to translate last year’s late progress into consistent performance.
The opening series against Toledo provides an immediate measuring stick for a team hoping to contend in the American this spring. With a veteran core and renewed confidence, Memphis enters the season prepared to compete from the first pitch.
First pitch for Friday’s opener is set for 4:05 p.m., followed by games on Saturday and Sunday afternoon at FedExPark Avron Fogelman Field. All three matchups will stream live on ESPN+.
