Highlights
Houston took down No. 7 ECU in the two teams’ series opener to move into the sole No. 1 spot in The American's baseball standings on Friday night with an 11-5 conference record. UCF, Cincinnati, No. 20 UConn and No. 20 USF joined the Cougars in earning a Game 1 win.
Down 4-2 in the sixth inning, Houston rallied for the final three runs of the game to defeat ECU 5-4. Outfielder Wendell Champion launched a two-run home run to fuel the late surge. It marked his first home run of the season. Reliever Carter Henry tossed 2.1 shutout innings to close-out the game for the Cougars and earn his sixth save of the year. The Cougars and Pirates will continue their three-game series with Game 2 on Saturday at 4 p.m. ET and will wrap at 11:30 a.m. ET on Sunday.
Cincinnati struck early and held on late to beat Kansas 4-3. The Bearcats scored three in the second then added on one in the eighth to lead the whole way through. First baseman Eric Santiago had a nice night at the plate, going 2-for-3 with two RB. Shortstop Manny Rodriguez also had two hits, with one being a double. Outfielder A.J. Bumpass had the team's other extra-base hit, an RBI triple. Game 2 will start at 6 p.m. ET on Saturday.
UConn tallied four runs through the first three frames and refused to look back from there on the way to a 6-2 win over Tulane at Dunkin’ Donuts Park in Hartford. The series continues there Saturday at 2:05 p.m. ET on ESPN3. Southpaw starter Mason Feole had nine strikeouts through 6.1 innings to earn the win, while P.J. Poulin picked up his conference-leading 11th save. Nine different Huskies had a hit, as shortstop Anthony Prato and outfielder Isaac Feldstein each drove in a pair of runs. UConn has won four straight games.
Starter Shane McClanahan struck out 13 and USF belted three homers to take the first game of the weekend's series against Memphis, 4-2. Third baseman David Villar hit two home runs. Villar and designated hitter Chris Chatfield each had solo shots in the sixth inning to lift the Bulls past the Tigers. With the win, USF improved to 10-6 in conference standings to move into the sole second place spot. The series resumes Saturday at 6:30 p.m. ET.
UCF used a four-run spurts in the third and fourth innings to surge past No. 30 Wichita State 9-5 in claim Game 1 of the series. Outfielders Tyler Osik and Ray Alejo each had three RBIs. Starter Cre Finfrock (5-0) tossed 5.1 innings and fanned five batters to clinch his fifth win of the year. The series will continues on Saturday at 6:30 p.m. ET.
UPCOMING SCHEDULE / RESULTS
Tuesday, April 24
No. 20 UConn 9, Holy Cross 6
No. 20 USF 5, Bethune-Cookman 3
Memphis 10, Murray State 6
No. 30 Wichita State 14, Kansas 5
Tulane 8, Texas Southern 2
No. 19 Texas 9, Houston 4
Wednesday, April 25
Rhode Island at UConn - Cancelled
Friday, April 27
Cincinnati 4, Kansas 3
UCF 9, No. 30 Wichita State 5
Houston 5, No. 7 ECU 4
No. 20 UConn 6, Tulane 2
No. 20 USF 4, Memphis 2
Saturday, April 28
Tulane at UConn * - 2:05 p.m. (ESPN3)
Houston at ECU * - 4 p.m.
Kansas at Cincinnati - 6 p.m.
Memphis at USF * - 6:30 p.m.
Wichita State at UCF * - 6:30 p.m.
Sunday, April 29
Houston at ECU * - 11:30 a.m.
Tulane at UConn * - 1 p.m.
Kansas at Cincinnati - 1 p.m.
Memphis at USF * - 1 p.m.
Wichita State at UCF * - 1 p.m.
All times ET & subject to change
* conference game