STATISTICS
Friday, March 22 Results:
No. 14 ECU 13, UCF 8
No. 14 ECU scored 11 runs through the first four innings, as the Pirates held off UCF, 13-8, to open American Athletic Conference play with a win. ECU plated nine of its 13 runs with two outs. Eight Pirates had a hit, as Spencer Brickhouse was a home run shy of hitting for the cycle. He ended the night 3-for-5 with four RBIs. The top of the Pirates’ order combined for seven hits and eight RBIs, as ECU scored at least three runs through the first three innings.
UCF outscored ECU 7-3 through the final six innings with five Knights reaching double-digit hits. Ray Alejo and Dalton Wingo each had three hits and a double. Wingo, Anthony George and Matthew Mika each hit a home run for UCF. Tyler Osik went 2-for-5, extending his hitting streak to nine games and on-base streak to 20 games. The Knights’ bullpen held ECU to four hits and three runs through the last five innings.
ECU starter Jake Agnos had two strikeouts through the first three innings, ending the night with nine Ks through 4.1 innings of work. Alec Burleson and Ryder Giles combined for three scoreless innings in relief, striking out four batters. ECU welcomes UCF back to Clark-LeClair Stadium for Game 2 Saturday at 4 p.m. ET.
USF 4, Cincinnati 2
Cincinnati held a 1-0 lead into the fourth inning before USF rallied for four runs to open conference play with a 4-2 win. The Bearcats got another run across in the ninth inning on a sac fly and had runners in scoring position, but the Bulls found the final outs to get out of the jam and hold onto the lead. USF starter Collin Sullivan struck out career-high 11 batters through 7.0 IP, scattering one run on three hits. Jordan Santos, Kyle Phillips and Chris Chatfield each had two hits for the Bulls. Wyatt Stapp went 2-for-4 with an RBI to lead the Bearcats. Game 2 in Tampa is set for 6:30 p.m. ET.
Wichita State 7, Memphis 3
Eight different Shockers had at least one hit, as Wichita State began its 2019 conference campaign with a 7-3 win over Memphis. Wichita pounded out 12 hits, as four Shockers had a multi-hit showing. Noah Croft and Paxton Wallace each had a pair of hits with two RBIs. The Shockers’ pitching staff kept Memphis scoreless through seven innings. The Tigers were led by Payton Marshall who went 2-for-3 with three RBIs and a solo home run. The Shockers posted five scoring innings. Luke Ritter extended his on-base streak to 33 games dating back to last season. Game 2 of the series is set for a 3 p.m. ET first pitch Saturday at Eck Stadium.
UConn 2, Houston 1
It was a battle between two of The American’s 2018 NCAA regional teams, as UConn came out on top, 2-1, at Houston behind a strong outing from All-America southpaw Mason Feole. Feole struck out eight through 7.0 innings. He gave up one unearned run and held the Cougars without a hit through the first five innings. Christian Fedko went 2-for-4 with an RBI double to lead the Huskies at the palte. Kobe Hyland led Houston at the dish, going 2-for-4 with a double. Houston starter Lael Lockhart went 7.1 innings, striking out five, while seeing two unearned runs cross home plate. UConn and Houston play Game 2 of their series Saturday at 7:30 p.m. ET in Houston.
Tulane 6, Houston Baptist 2
Tulane senior pitcher Kaleb Roper struck out a career-best 12 batters, as the Green Wave routed Houston Baptist 6-2 to open a three-game series. Roper went 7.2 innings and did not walk a batter in scattering five hits and allowing two runs. He retired 16-consecutive batters. Kody Hoese blasted his conference-leading 11th home run of the season, going 2-for-4 with two RBIs and two runs scored, as Frankie Niemann drove in two with an RBI double. Tulane goes for the series victory Saturday in Game 2 with first pitch set for 3 p.m. ET.
UPCOMING SCHEDULE:
Saturday, March 23
Memphis at Wichita State - 3 p.m.*
Houston Baptist at Tulane - 3 p.m.
UCF at ECU - 4 p.m.*
Cincinnati at USF - 6:30 p.m.*
UConn at Houston - 7:30 p.m.*
Sunday, March 24
UCF at ECU – Noon*
UConn at Houston - 12:30 p.m.*
Cincinnati at USF - 1 p.m.*
Memphis at Wichita State - 2 p.m.*
Houston Baptist at Tulane - 2 p.m.
All times Eastern and subject to change