Conference play begins Friday with weekend series taking place in Orlando, Greenville, New Orleans and Tampa.
The American’s two nationally ranked teams will square off in Orlando as No. 6/11 UCF hosts No. 17/19 Houston. The Knights entered the week leading the nation in average, on-base percentage, slugging, home runs and runs scored. The Cougars have won 10 straight after a thrilling comeback against Lamar Tuesday.
Memphis, winners of eleven of its last twelve, opens its conference slate at East Carolina. The Pirates are 12-6 this month and have two starting pitchers with sub-two ERAs in Evan Kruczynski and David Lucroy.
Tulane plays its first conference games in The American when the Green Wave hosts UConn in a matchup of two of the top conference pitching staffs, with Tulane ranked first in the conference in ERA and UConn third.
USF hosts Cincinnati to begin conference play. The Bulls have won 11 of their last 13 and nine straight home games. Cincinnati, the youngest team in the nation with 22 freshmen, will look to pick up some road wins to set the tone in conference play.