STATISTICS
Friday, March 8 Results:
Memphis 12, Western Kentucky 4
Another offensive surge Friday evening propelled Memphis to claim its second-consecutive series behind a 12-4 win at Western Kentucky. The Tigers plated eight runs in the final two innings, including six RBIs by Nick Vaage (2-for-2). A five-run eighth inning, capped by a grand slam by Vaage, helped Memphis pull away late. On the hill, senior Hunter Smith tallied his second win of the season behind a career-high nine strikeouts. Five Tigers enjoyed multi-hit efforts. Keith Stepter turned in a game-high three base hits. Vaage, Hunter Goodman, Colton Neel and Alec Trela also each had a pair of hits. The final game of the series is anticipated for Sunday with a start time TBD.
Penn State 5, UCF 2
Despite 12 strikeouts from pitchers Chris Williams and Jack Sinclair, UCF could not rally from an early four-run deficit on Friday night at John Euliano Park, falling in a series opener to Penn State 5-2. Brandon Hernandez, Dallas Beaver and Ray Alejo all extended their on-base streaks to eight games. Sinclair came on in relief and tossed the final three innings, registering a career-high six strikeouts. The Knights managed only three hits, as Penn State starter Dante Biasi racked up nine strikeouts through six innings. UCF looks to even the series Saturday at 6 p.m. ET.
ECU 5, Marist 0
Starter Jake Agnos tossed seven scoreless innings striking out 10 batters, while No. 14 ECU collected 13 hits on its way to a 5-0 series-opening win over Marist. The Pirates scored all their runs in the fourth, fifth and sixth innings. Four Pirates tallied multiple hits in the contest with Brady Lloyd going 3-for-3 with a sac fly, while Spencer Brickhouse, Lane Hoover and Jake Washer each had two hits. The Pirates and Red Foxes will be back in action on Saturday, March 9 with a 4 p.m. ET first pitch.
Liberty 6, USF 4
USF led through five innings but were doomed by a pair of three-run frames late in Friday's 6-4 loss to Liberty. The Flames used two hits to plate three runs twice in both the sixth and seventh innings. USF’s Austin Bodrato went 2-for-2 with a homer, double, two runs and two RBIs. Junior righthander Collin Sullivan threw 5.1 solid innings. He allowed two hits and struck out seven, surrendering two runs for a no-decision. Game 2 of the three-game series is set for 6:30 p.m. ET Saturday.
UConn 8, Texas State 4
UConn rallied for seven runs in the fourth and fifth innings on the way to an 8-4 series-opening win at Texas State. Down by two in the fourth, the Huskies sent three runners across home plate on two wild pitches and an RBI single from Michael Woodworth (2-for-5). Thad Phillips hit a two-run home run in the fifth, followed by Woodworth’s second RBI single of the day to fuel a four-run spurt. Pat Winkel had a career-high three-hit night to lead UConn at the plate. The Huskies improved to 4-0 on Friday’s this season look to win their first Saturday game as lefthander Mason Feole makes his second start of the season beginning at 3:30 p.m. ET.
Houston 6, Army 3
Houston scored four runs over the first three innings en route to starting off its series against Army with a 6-3 win. Joe Davis finished 3-for-4 with two singles, one home run and three RBIs. Blake Way turned in a career-day, going 3-for-3 with a double and one run scored. Jared Triolo has reached in all 12 games to open the season. Junior Devon Roedahl tossed the final three innings to record his first-career save. The Cougars go for the series win at 7:30 p.m. ET Saturday at Schroeder Park.
UCSB 7, Tulane 4
A late rally came up short for Tulane, as the Green Wave took a 7-4 loss to UCSB to start off its weekend set. Tulane was held without a run until the eighth inning when the Green Wave pushed four across thanks to home runs from Acy Owen and Kody Hoese. Trevor Jensen went 2-for-4 at the plate for Tulane. Krishna Raj came in to see the bulk of the final innings and struck out seven in 4.0 innings, allowing two runs on four hits and four walks. First pitch for Game 2 of the series is set for 3 p.m. ET at Greer Field at Turchin Stadium Saturday.
No. 10 Texas Tech 12, Wichita State 2
Wichita State tallied 10 hits, but No. 10 Texas Tech dealt the Shockers a 12-2 loss in the first game of a three-game series Friday. The Shockers look to tie the series Saturday at 3 p.m. ET. Hunter Gibson led the Shockers at the plate, going 2-for-4 with his first triple and home run of the season. Senior Luke Ritter added a 3-of-5 showing with a double and RBI, extending his on-base streak to 23 games dating back to last season, while fellow senior Jordan Boyer increased his reached base safely streak to 11 games with a pair of hits.
UPCOMING SCHEDULE:
Saturday, March 9
Bowling Green at Cincinnati - 2 p.m.
UCSB at Tulane - 3 p.m.
Wichita State at Texas Tech - 3 p.m.
UConn at Texas State - 3:30 p.m.
Marist at ECU - 4 p.m.
Penn State at UCF - 6 p.m.
Liberty at USF - 6:30 p.m.
Army at Houston - 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, March 10
Penn State at UCF - 1 p.m.
Bowling Green at Cincinnati - 1 p.m.
UConn at Texas State - 1 p.m.
Marist at ECU - 1 p.m.
Liberty at USF - 1 p.m.
Army at Houston - 2 p.m.
Memphis at Western Kentucky – TBD
UCSB at Tulane - 2 p.m.
Wichita State at Texas Tech (Fox+) - 2 p.m.
All times Eastern and subject to change