Middle Tennessee State University Athletics
Middle Tennessee
Memphis
Middle Tennessee hosts Memphis for first matchup in 5 years
5/11/2026 3:30:00 PM | Baseball
May 12, 2026 | Reese Smith Jr. Field | Murfreesboro, Tenn. |
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Memphis Tigers 21-29, 12-12 AAC |
vs | Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders 24-27, 11-16 CUSA |
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MURFREESBORO, Tenn. - Blue Raider baseball makes its return to Reese Smith Jr. Field for the final four games of the regular season, beginning with tommorow's midweek matchup against the Memphis Tigers.
A foe from the American Athletic Conference, this will be the first matchup between the two in-state opponents since 2021, and marks the first date between the two in the Jerry Meyers era.
Memphis enters off a series win over UTSA, and have won five of the last six games.
Tuesday, May 12
» Time/ Site 6 p.m. at The Reese
Live Stats
Radio
Last Five Games (Blue Raiders Trail 2-3)
Date Results Location
03.21.21 L, 7-8 (11) Memphis, Tenn.
03.20.21 L, 0-1 Memphis, Tenn.
03.20.21 W, 8-2 Memphis, Tenn.
03.19.21 L, 0-1 Memphis, Tenn.
03.11.20 W, 2-1 Murfreesboro, Tenn.
Last Time Out: The Blue Raiders fell in the series rubbermatch to FIU on Sunday, 10-2. Tyler Minnick and Cooper Clapp both homered, while Drew Horn made his return to the mound after missing over six weeks of action.
The Last Matchup: This will be the first matchup against Memphis of the Jerry Meyers era. The last time the two squared off was a four-game set in Memphis, Tennessee, in 2021.
Brewer Bashes: Middle Tennessee left fielder Nathan Brewer rewrote the history books in the Blue Raiders' 11-9 win on Friday night over FIU. The Murfreesboro native clubbed four home runs in the series opener, as part of a 5-for-5 day with six RBI. Brewer is the first in Blue Raider baseball history and Conference USA baseball history to hit four home runs in a game.
Horn Returns: Blue Raider right-hander Drew Horn made his return to the mound on Sunday, picking up three strikeouts in 2.0 innings of work. Horn was charged with his first loss of the season after FIU scored three runs against Horn.
Minni's @ 41!: Catcher Tyler Minnick continued his on-base streak throughout the FIU series, pushing it up to 41 games with a three-hit day on Sunday. Minnick hit his tenth home run of the season in the top of the ninth with a solo shot to left field.
Scouting the Tigers: Memphis enters the final midweek matchup of the year with a 21-29 record, sitting 12-12 in American Athletic Conference play.
Senior Outfielder Michael Gupton is the Tigers top bat, slashing .281/.365/.568 with a team-high 13 home runs.
Magic Number: The Blue Raiders' magic number to clinch a spot in the nine-team Conference USA tournament is down to one game. With a win at anypoint in the upcoming series against Liberty, Middle Tennessee will clinch a spot in the tournament at Kennesaw State.
Coop x2: Cooper Clapp slugged home runs in back-to-back games against FIU, pushing his season total to a career-high eight home runs.
OPS Success: Heading into the final week of the regular season, five Blue Raiders boast an on base plus slugging percentage of .900 or higher: Nathan Brewer, Tyler Minnick, Owen Nowak, Cooper Clapp and Layne Akers.
K Counter: David Horn Jr. is up to 70 strikeouts on the season, placing him seventh in Conference USA. Gavin King's 59 strikeouts would slot him tenth in the league leaderboard if qualified.
In The Fast Layne: DH/UTL Layne Akers has continued to mash in conference play for the Blue Raiders. The redshirt freshman is carrying a team-high .366 batting average and is second on the squad with 19 RBI and 37 hits in Conference USA play.
Iron Man Watch: Five Blue Raider position players are on pace to start in all 55 scheduled game: Tyler Minnick, Dean O'Neill, Brett Vondohlen, Owen Nowak and Brett Rogers.
Weekend arms David Horn Jr. and Chandler Alderman are on pace to appear in all 14 weekend series.
Bombs Away!: Following the weekend series against FIU, the Blue Raiders boast three players with double digit home runs. Nathan Brewer (12), Dean O'Neill (11) and Tyler Minnick (10) have been supplying the power for Middle Tennessee.
#SCTop10: Centerfielder Owen Nowak found himself on SportsCenter's Top 10, after robbing Vanderbilt's Rustan Rigdon of a home run in the bottom of the fifth. Nowak is the first Blue Raider since Eston Snider to make it to SportsCenter.
Milestone Watch: The Blue Raiders are one win away from the program's 1,700th win all-time. Middle Tennessee baseball is currently 1,699-1,394-10.
Memphis Connection: Assistant Coach and Recruiting Coordinator Ryan Huber previously spent time as part of the baseball coaching staff at Memphis. He spent four seasons with the program before making his way to Murfreesboro.
Watch the Blue Raiders: Select MTSU home games will be on ESPN+ in 2026. Road game broadcasts are subject to the home team's broadcast protocols. WGNS will carry the team's radio broadcasts.
Follow the Blue Raiders: Stay up to date with the Blue Raiders on X (@MT_Baseball), Facebook (Blue Raider Baseball) and Instagram (@MT_Baseball).
