Highlights
The American’s baseball teams opened conference play on Friday night, as No. 20 UCF, UConn, Houston and Tulane took Game 1 of their league openers. Pitching staffs from around the league shined to highlight the action. No. 26 Wichita State continued its nonconference action, extending its winning streak to three games with an 11-1 rout over Furman.
Houston lefty starter Trey Cumbie recorded his second straight complete game shutout to guide the Cougars to a 2-0 Game 1 win over Memphis. The conference’s regining Pitcher of the Year scattered three hits, while tallying eight strikeouts, facing four batters over the minimum (31). Third baseman Jared Triolo smashed a two-run homer in the fourth inning to bring in the only runs of the game, as Houston has won six in a row. The series continues tomorrow at 6:30 p.m. ET.
UConn ace Tim Cate recorded 11 strikeouts through five innings, allowing one run on the way to a 6-4 win at USF. UConn has won four in a row, snapping the Bulls’ nine-game winning streak. Shortstop Anthony Prato hit a grand slam in the second inning to give his side a six-run lead. P.J. Poulin came entered the game in the eighth inning and allowed no hits or runs to earn his sixth save this season. USF’s lefty Noah Yager came out of the bullpen and threw five shutout innings with five strikeouts, but the Bulls’ late rally came up short. Third baseman David Villar and second baseman JD Dutka combined for six hits, four doubles and four RBIs. Game 2 of the series begins at 6:30 p.m. ET tomorrow.
UCF defeted ECU 9-1, as the Knights’ starter Joe Sheridan went eight innings and allowed one run. It marked the fourth win this year over a ranked opponent for UCF. The Knights had four-run spurts in the fifth and sixth innings and were led by outfielder Ray Alejo (3-for-5) and first baseman Rylan Thomas (3-for-4). First baseman Spencer Brickhouse went 2-for-4 for the Pirates, as the team collected seven hits. The series continues tomorrow at 6:30 p.m. ET.
Wichita State scored seven runs in the seventh inning to pull away for an 11-1 win over Furman in game one of a three-game series. Outfielder Luke Ritter went 3-for-4 with two doubles, while second baseman Jordan Boyer went 2-for-3 with three RBI, a double and a home run. Starter Codi Heuer went six innings and gave up one run on one hit with three walks and a career-high 11 strikeouts. The Shockers return to action at 3 p.m. tomorrow for Game 2 of the series.
Tulane’s pitching staff combined for 14 strikeouts, while scattering three runs on five hits to open its conference play with a 5-3 win against Cincinnati. The two teams continue the series tomorrow at 4 p.m. ET. The Green Wave had a strong start, doing all their damage in the opening inning, as shortstop Sal Gozzo had a two-run double to fuel a five-run surge. Cincinnati pitchers J.T. Perez and A.J. Kullman tossed eight scoreless frames and allowed just one hit for the remainder of the game.
UPCOMING SCHEDULE/RESULTS
Tuesday, March 20
UConn 7, Central Connecticut 3 (10)
No. 5 Florida State 6, No. 20 UCF 4
No. 26 Wichita State 2, Oklahoma 1
Houston 3, Lamar 1
Memphis 14, Mississippi Valley 0
Wednesday, March 21
No. 5 Florida State 13, No. 20 UCF 3
USF 12, North Florida 5
No. 15 LSU 10, Tulane 4
Houston 9, Prairie View A&M 2
Friday, March 23
No. 20 UCF 9, No. 18 ECU 1
Tulane 5, Cincinnati 3
UConn 6, USF 4
No. 26 Wichita State 11, Furman 1
Houston 2, Memphis 0
Saturday, March 24
Furman at Wichita State - 3 p.m.
Cincinnati at Tulane - 4 p.m. *
UConn at USF - 6:30 p.m. *
ECU at UCF - 6
:30 p.m. *
Memphis at Houston - 7:30 p.m. *
Sunday, March 25
Cincinnati at Tulane – Noon *
Furman at Wichita State - 12:30 p.m.
ECU at UCF - 1 p.m. *
UConn at USF - 6 p.m. *
Memphis at Houston - 1 p.m. *
All times ET & subject to change
* Conference games