UCF, Cincinnati, UConn and Tulane were winners on a Friday night that brought a crowded conference race even closer together from one through eight.
 
Tulane pulled into a five-way tie for first place with a 3-1 win over No. 22 Houston in New Orleans. RHP Corey Merrill held the Cougars to one unearned run over seven innings before RHP Ian Gibaut closed out the win with two scoreless innings. Tulane improved to 29-16 and 9-7 in The American with the win. RHP Andrew Lantrip struck out 10 over 6.2 innings over Houston, which fell to 30-16 and 9-7 in conference play.
 
Cincinnati knocked off No. 24 Memphis with an 11-4 win at FedEx Park. CF Treg Haberkorn had three hits and two RBIs for the Bearcats, who improved to 14-30 and 5-11 in The American. LF Kane Barrow had three hits for the Tigers, who dropped to 31-14 and 9-7 in the conference.
 
UConn pulled to within a game of the first-place logjam with a 13-2 win at East Carolina. LF Blake Davey had three doubles and four RBIs for the Huskies, who moved to 29-18 and 8-8 in The American. RHP Carson Cross struck out nine over eight innings for his league-leading ninth win of the year. C Travis Watkins drove in both runs for the Pirates, who fell to 29-18 and 9-7 in league action.
 
RHP Zach Rodgers tossed eight shutout innings in UCF’s 3-0 win over USF. 1B James Vasquez and RF Erik Barber homered for the Knights, who improved to 27-19 and 6-10 in conference play. RF Luke Maglich had two hits for the Bulls, who dropped to 28-17-1 and 9-7 in The American.