Highlights
Strong pitching performances from across the league highlighted the Friday night action, as several starters shined. UCF, Cincinnati, No. 11 ECU and Houston each earned a series-opener win. The Bearcats and Cougars remain locked in first place in the conference standings with 8-5 league records.
Cincinnati starter J.T. Perez went the distance, tossing a complete game shutout and holding No. 24 UConn to five hits, as the Bearcats opened their series with a 1-0 win. Perez fanned 10 batters, facing seven over the minimum. Shortstop Manny Rodriguez hit a solo home run in the fourth inning to score the only run of the game. It was his ninth homer of the season. UConn southpaw starter Mason Feole threw a complete game too, striking out 14 batters, while scattering five hits and a walk. Game 2 of the series is set for 4 p.m. ET on Saturday.
UCF shutout USF, the conference’s top offense, and held the Bulls to one hit in a close 1-0 War on I-4 series opener win. Starter Cre Finfrock tossed six innings, striking out eight batters and scattering one hit and one walk. Outfielder Ray Alejo scored the only run of the game on a wild pitch in the first frame after hitting a triple. USF southpaw starter Shane McClanahan tossed 6 innings, fanned 10 batters and scattered two hits and a run. The Knights and Bulls will meet again tomorrow at 6:30 p.m. ET.
It was a pitcher’s duel, as starter Trey Cumbie threw 8.0 innings and fanned nine batters to guide Houston to a series opener win over No. 24 Wichita State, 3-1. The All-America southpaw allowed one earned run and five hits. The Shockers’ starter Codi Heuer went eight innings and gave up three runs, one earned, on seven hits with three walks and four strikeouts. Houston used a two-run spurt in the opening frame and refused to look back from there. The series continues on Sunday with a doubleheader starting at 2 p.m. ET.
ECU catcher Jake Washer and third baseman Connor Litton had RBIs in the fifth inning to fuel a three-run surge, as the Pirates took Game 1 at Memphis, 5-1. The Pirates’ starter Chris Holba (9-0) earned his ninth win of the year after tossing 7.1 innings, scattering one run and seven hits, while striking out four. The series will be decided tomorrow with a doubleheader beginning at 2 p.m. ET.
UPCOMING SCHEDULE / RESULTS
Tuesday, April 17
No. 11 ECU 9, No. 3 Duke 2
USF 7, North Florida 1
Wichita State 8, Central Arkansas 2
Houston 9, Sam Houston State 4
Wednesday, April 18
UCF 7, Bethune-Cookman 1
No. 24 UConn 14, UMass Lowell 7
No. 24 Wichita State 11, Kansas 0
Memphis 6, Mississippi State 1
Tulane 10, No. 18 LSU 9
Sam Houston State 8, Houston 3
Cincinnati 10, Xavier 7
Friday, April 20
Cincinnati 1, No. 24 UConn 0
UCF 1, USF 0
ECU at Memphis * - 7:30 p.m.
Houston 3, No. 24 Wichita State 1
East Tennessee State 9, Tulane 1
Saturday, April 21
ECU at Memphis * - 2 p.m. (DH)
East Tennessee State at Tulane - 3 p.m.
UConn at Cincinnati * - 4 p.m.
UCF at USF * - 6:30 p.m.
Wichita State at Houston * - 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, April 22
UCF at USF * - 1 p.m.
UConn at Cincinnati * - 1 p.m.
Wichita State at Houston * - 2 p.m.
East Tennessee State at Tulane - 2 p.m.
All times ET & subject to change
* conference game