Highlights
The league play excitement continued across the board for the American Athletic Conference on Friday night. UConn swept No. 20 Wichita State in a doubleheader to clinch its second straight conference series against a top-25 team to move up to the second place spot in conference standings. UCF and Tulane each completed thrilling comebacks to start off their respective series with wins. No. 7 ECU stayed hot, putting up 15 runs on 17 hits against USF to catapult to the sole top spot in The American standings.
- UConn won its second straight conference series against a top-25 opponent, defeating Wichita State in a doubleheader on the road. The Huskies used a five-run surge in the sixth inning and turned four double plays to lock down a 7-4 Game 1 win. Hits were tied at 10-10, as UConn kept the Shockers scoreless through the first five frames. UConn then used a strong five-run rally in the opening inning of Game 2 on the way to a 9-4 win to clinch the series. Catcher Zac Susi and outfielder Isaac Feldstein produced back-to-back RBI doubles to kick off the scoring in the first. Starter Mason Feole threw for six innings of work, allowing three hits and gave up a pair of runs. The sophomore recorded 8 strikeouts in the contest. The series finale will take place on Sunday at 2 p.m. ET.
- Tulane scored 14 runs in the final three innings to overcome a 10-run deficit and knock off Houston 17-16 with its second walk-off of the week. The 33 combined runs scored in the game are the most recorded in the league’s history. Second baseman Jonathon Artigues hit a double, stole third base and crossed home plate on a wild pitch in the ninth inning to give the Green Wave the series-opener win. Third baseman Kody Hoese hit a three-run home run to tie the game in the final frame. Both teams combined for 29 hits in the slugfest. Artigues and Hoese combined for seven hits, six RBIs and six runs scored. The series will continue on Sunday when the two teams return to the diamond for a doubleheader.
- Down by four in the top of the sixth inning, UCF rallied for five straight runs to take Game 1 of its series against Cincinnati, 5-4. Outfielder Tyler Osik smashed a three-run home run in the bottom of the sixth inning before outfielder Dalton Wingo hit a solo homer in the seventh inning to tie the game. First baseman Rylan Thomas hit the game-winning home run in the eighth inning with a solo shot to lead off the frame, as the Knights stranded a Bearcat runner at third base in the ninth inning to clinch the victory. Southpaw Bryce Tucker fanned two batters in the final frame and earned the save. The series continues Saturday at 6:30 p.m. ET.
- The bats were alive for ECU, as the Pirates strung together 17 hits to take Game 1 against USF with a 15-2 win. Designated hitter Bryant Packard went 3-for-4 with a career-high five RBIs, two home runs and two runs scored, while pinch hitter Chandler Jenkins hit a grand slam in the eighth inning. Four Pirates had a multi-hit game. Starter Chris Holba earned his nation-leading eighth win, while Zach Barnes and West Covington came out of the bullpen and held the Bulls to two hits through the final three scoreless innings. Game 2 is set for 4 p.m. ET on Saturday.
UPCOMING SCHEDULE / RESULTS
Tuesday, April 10
Cincinnati 11, Wright State 1 %
No. 20 Wichita State 10, Oklahoma State 7
Houston 1, Rice 0
Memphis 4, Arkansas State 1
Tulane 4, New Orleans 3
Wednesday, April 11
UConn 9, Bryant 9 (10 Innings)
Stetson 5, USF 2
Miami (Ohio) 9, Cincinnati 8
UCF 4, Miami (Fla.) 0
No. 7 ECU 3, Elon 0
Memphis 6, Arkansas State 3
Friday, April 13
UCF 5, Cincinnati 4
No. 7 ECU 15, USF 2
UConn 7, No. 20 Wichita State 4
Baylor 12, Memphis 8
Tulane 17, Houston 16
UConn 9, No. 20 Wichita State 4
Saturday, April 14
Baylor at Memphis - 3 p.m.
USF at ECU * - 4 p.m.
Cincinnati at UCF * - 6:30 p.m.
Sunday, April 15
USF at ECU * - Noon
Cincinnati at UCF * - Noon
Houston at Tulane * - 1 p.m. (DH)
Baylor at Memphis - 2 p.m.
UConn at Wichita State * - 2 p.m.
All times ET & subject to change
* conference game
% Joe Nuxhall Classic