STATISTICS
Friday, March 29 Results:
Tulane 19, Cincinnati 4 | Tulane 8, Cincinnati 1
Tulane opened conference play with a doubleheader sweep at Cincinnati, outscoring the Bearcats 27-5 on the day. The Green Wave’s offense exploded in Game 1 in a 19-4 win before they secured an 8-1 victory in Game 2 to clinch their first American series of the season against the Bearcats.
Tulane used a nine-run surge in the fourth inning to power past Cincinnati in the first game of the series. Six Green Wave batters had a multi-hit performance in the victory, including The American’s home run leader Kody Hoese, who hit his 12th long ball of the season and finished the game with four RBIs. Jonathon Artigues logged his first three-hit performance of the day. Hoese, David Bedgood and Frankie Niemann combined for 10 RBIs. Robert Price tossed the final 3.1 shutout innings, picking up his first-career save. Three Bearcats had a multi-hit showing in the series-opening game.
Tulane used another big fourth-inning surge in the second game, scoring five times in the frame. Artigues enjoyed another three hits to power the Green Wave’s offense in Game 2. Kobi Owen hit a two-run home run. Starter Keagan Gillies struck out six through the first six frames. The Green Wave’s bullpen kept Cincinnati without a hit through the final three innings. Chase Stewart pitched two perfect innings for the Bearcats to close the game. The series finale will be played in Cincinnati at Noon ET Sunday.
Memphis 7, Houston 3 | Memphis 6, Houston 4
Memphis clinched its first conference series of the season, as the Tigers swept Houston in a doubleheader Friday. Memphis won 7-3 in Game 1 and 6-4 in Game 2. The Tigers secured their first league series win since 2017.
Memphis starter Hunter Smith struck out nine batters through an eight-inning outing in the opening game of the doubleheader. Ben Brooks had three hits, while Hunter Goodman went 2-for-4 with a three-run homer in the first inning. The Tigers used a four-run fifth frame to move ahead for good. The middle of the order combined for all seven RBIs, as Goodman powered the offense, driving in four runs.
Jared Triolo had two hits, including a solo homer to lead Houston in Game 1. Houston starter Lael Lockhart Jr. struck out eight through 4.1 innings but gave up seven runs (five earned) on seven hits and took the loss. Devon Roedahl kept the Tigers off the board through the final 3.2 innings, scattering one hit.
Payton Marshall hit a grand slam in the opening inning of Game 2, as the Tigers refused to look back from there. Goodman registered a two-run shot in the eighth inning to lift Memphis to victory. Goodman and Nick Vaage both ended the game with a pair of hits. Memphis relievers Joshua Scheer and Colton Neel combined to keep Houston off the board through the final three innings. Scheer struck out three and surrendered only one hit through 2.0 innings of work to earn the win. Neel struck out the side in the ninth, picking up his fifth save of the season. Houston recorded 10 hits with five of them going for extra bases. Joe Davis and Kobe Hyland each hit home runs. Triolo ended the night with another two-hit showing. The series finale is set for Sunday at 2 p.m. ET at FedExPark.
Wichita State 2, Bethune-Cookman 0
Wichita State blanked Bethune-Cookman 2-0 to take the series opener Friday at Eck Stadium. The Shockers have won three-straight nonconference games and seven of their last 10 contests. Starter Preston Snavely tossed 7.0 shutout innings, striking out five to earn the win. Jordan Boyer and Paxton Wallace each recorded RBIs. Both teams combined for only seven hits in the game. Luke Ritter registered a base knock and run scored, extending his on-base streak to 38-straight games, dating back to last season. Mitchell Walters retired the side in order in the ninth inning to pick up his fifth save of the season. The Shockers and Wildcats play Game 2 of the series Saturday at 3 p.m. ET.
UCF 2, UConn 1
Matthew Mika hit an RBI single in the eighth inning, as UCF defeated UConn 2-1 in a pitcher’ duel on Friday night. UCF lefthander Grant Schuermann earned a complete-game victory, scattering four hits, one walk and an earned run. He struck out four through his outing. UConn southpaw Mason Feole struck out seven through 7.1 innings pitched, scattering two runs on four hits and four walks. Kyler Fedko registered the only RBI and run for the Huskies after hitting a solo shot in the fifth inning. UCF took a 1-0 lead in the opening inning after Ray Alejo scored on a wild pitch. He had two hits, extending his on-base streak to 11 games. Game 2 is set for a 6 p.m. ET first pitch at John Euliano Park Saturday.
No. 13 ECU 4, USF 0
No. 13 ECU extended its winning streak to seven-straight games, while staying undefeated in American play (4-0) with a 4-0 win at USF Friday night. Jake Washer put the Pirates in front in the second inning with a three-run homer before Alex Burleson plated Bryant Packard with an RBI single in the third inning. Starter Jake Agnos struck out 11 through the first six innings, while surrendering three hits and a pair of walks. Sam Lanier and Ryder Giles closed the door in relief for the Pirates during the final three frames, scattering one hit and three walks through the remainder of the game. USF was held to four hits in the loss. The Bulls’ bullpen kept the Pirates scoreless and held them to one hit through the final three innings. The second game of the series will be played Saturday at 6:30 p.m. ET in Tampa.
UPCOMING SCHEDULE
Saturday, March 30
Bethune-Cookman at Wichita State - 3 p.m.
UConn at UCF* - 6 p.m.
ECU at USF* - 6:30 p.m.
Sunday, March 31
Tulane at Cincinnati* - Noon
ECU at USF* - 1 p.m.
UConn at UCF* - 1 p.m.
Houston at Memphis* - 2 p.m.
Bethune-Cookman at Wichita State - 2 p.m.