CLEARWATER, FLA. – No. 5 seed Memphis erupted for 13 runs and held off a late Charlotte rally to earn a 13-9 victory in the first round of the 2026 American Baseball Championship on Wednesday at BayCare Ballpark.
 
The Tigers (23-32) advance to the double-elimination portion of the bracket, where they will face No. 4 seed UAB on Thursday, May 21, following the Rice vs. Wichita State game.
 
Memphis capitalized on a shaky start from Charlotte’s pitching staff to build an early five-run advantage in the opening inning. The Tigers batted around the lineup, with the first five batters reaching base safely. James Smith IV, Shane Cox, Tae Cassidy and Tyler Harrington each drove in runs during the frame to give Memphis immediate control.
 
Charlotte (28-28) answered in the second inning on an RBI single from Dawson Bryce, trimming the deficit to 5-1.
 
The Tigers added to their lead in the third inning with consecutive RBI hits from Harrington and Webb Watson to extend the advantage to 7-1.
 
Memphis broke the game open in the fifth with another five-run inning. Michael Gupton led off the frame with a solo home run before consecutive walks put two runners on base. Watson then dropped down a sacrifice bunt to move the runners into scoring position, but an errant throw to first allowed both runners to score. Freddy Rodriguez and Javon Hernandez followed with RBI hits to push the lead to 12-1.
 
Facing the possibility of a run-rule defeat, the 49ers responded with a four-run seventh inning to extend the game. Charlotte collected six hits in the frame, with Todd Hudson, Alec DeMartino, Dylan Koontz and Cody Gunderson each recording RBI hits.
 
The 49ers continued to chip away in the eighth inning when DeMartino launched a three-run home run to left field, cutting the deficit to 12-8. Memphis answered immediately in the bottom half as Gupton connected on his second solo home run of the game to restore a five-run cushion at 13-8.
 
Charlotte added one in the final frame, but the Tigers prevented any more runs from coming home to secure the win.
 
Will Howell (W, 6-6) earned the win, tossing the first 6.1 innings, allowing three earned runs off eight hits.  Charlie Smith and Caden Robinson finished the game in relief.