Saturday, February 17 Results:
Highlights
- The American baseball teams went 7-2 on Saturday, as Cincinnati and Memphis opened their 2018 seasons with wins. ECU, Tulane and Wichita State won second straight games to secure series victories, while UConn and Houston joined the Bearcats and Tigers in earning their first wins of the year.
- Catcher Acy Owen hit a walkoff double in the 10th inning to plate outfielder Kobi Owen for the game-winner in a 6-5 come-from-behind win over Wright State. It was the second straight one-run victory for the Green Wave. Tulane takes on Wright State in the final game of the series tomorrow.
- Head coach Scott Googins earned his first win as a Bearcat in Cincinnati’s season opener. The Bearcats scored a run in the first, second and fourth innings to capture a 3-1 win over California to start things off in 2018. Starter JT Perez threw for five innings and had five strikeouts to earn the win.
- Houston bounced back to defeat Holy Cross, 7-1, to tie the series at 1–1. Starter Aaron Fletcher recorded a career-high six strikeouts through five shutout innings to earn the win. Outfielder Lael Lockhart had two hits and played two runs, while third baseman Jared Triolo went 3-for-4 at the plate. The deciding game will be played tomorrow at 2 p.m. ET.
- Wichita State resumed its Opening Day game from last night—which was suspended in the ninth inning due to fog—and finished the job to complete a 10-7 victory. Third Baseman Alec Bohm delivered a grand slam in the fifth inning on the way to the three-run win. The Shockers scored in double digits again in game two to earn the series win over Wright State with an 11-2 victory. Alec Bohm went 2-for-3 at the plate with three RBIs, while right hander Liam Eddy had six strikeouts through 5.1 innings to earn the win. The Bullpen refused to give up a hit through the final four frames.
- UConn bounced back, outhitting Georgia State 15-3, to claim its first win of the 2018 season with a 10-1 rout. Starting pitcher Mason Feole threw for seven innings, earning seven strikeouts, while allowing just one hit and one run. Five different Huskies recorded two hits, while six had at least one RBI. Outfielder Isaac Feldstein and catcher Thad Phillips each knocked in two runs.
- ECU claimed the series title over Western Carolina with a 8-2 win. Designated hitter Spencer Brickhouse hit his second homer of the season to bring in three runs in the opening inning. Shortstop Nick Barber, outfielder Alec Burleson and first baseman Bryant Packard each had two hits. The Pirates will face Western Carolina one more time tomorrow.
- After being rained out yesterday, Memphis opened its 2018 campaign with a 4-0 win over Western Kentucky—its first shutout since 2006. Outfielder Tyler Webb hit two doubles and went 3-for-3 at the plate. Starter Riley Cabral pitched 5.1 innings and registered six strikeouts to earn the win. The Tigers take on Western Kentucky in a double header tomorrow.
- UCF and USF each took losses. The Bulls fell to No. 6 North Carolina, 12-5, to even the series up at 1-1. The final game will be played at Noon ET tomorrow. The Knights were edged by Rice, 5-4, and will face Georgia Tech tomorrow at 1 p.m. ET.
Upcoming Schedule
Sunday, February 18
North Carolina at USF • Noon
UConn at Georgia Tech • 1 p.m.
Western Carolina at ECU • 1 p.m.
Wright State at Tulane • 1:30 p.m.
Samford at UCF • 2 p.m.
Western Kentucky at Memphis • 2 p.m. (DH)
Wichita State at McNeese State • 2 p.m.
Holy Cross at Houston • 2 p.m.
Cincinnati at San Diego • 4 p.m. (DH)
All times Eastern and subject to change