STATISTICS
Friday, April 12 Results:
UConn 3, Memphis 2
Anthony Nucerino drove in the game-winning run in the bottom of the seventh with a two-run RBI single, as UConn took Game 1 of its series against Memphis 3-1 at J.O. Christion Field Friday. Memphis took a 1-0 lead into the fifth inning after Hunter Goodman brought home the Tigers’ only run of the game in the opening frame. The Huskies tied the game at 1-1 in the fifth with a sacrifice fly from Anthony Prato. UConn reliever Jacob Wallace closed the door in the ninth, striking out two batters to earn his conference-leading eighth save of the year. UConn starter Mason Feole struck out seven through 6.2 innings of work.
Kyle Ouellette went 3-rof-4 at the plate to lead the Tigers’ offense. Memphis starter Hunter Smith pitched seven innings with six punch outs but gave up three runs on five hits and took the loss. Game 2 of the set starts at 1 p.m. ET on Saturday in Storrs, Conn.
UCF 15, Cincinnati 0 (8)
Powered by an eight-run sixth inning, UCF opened its weekend series at Cincinnati with a run-rule shutout on Friday night. The Knights blanked the Bearcats 15-0 with a season high in runs, RBIs and walks. Dalton Wingo struck for a career-high four RBIs on a 3-for-6 night at the plate, as the Knights totaled 15 runs on 14 hits with 13 RBIs. The shutout was UCF’s fourth of the year. Eight of the nine starters scored a run and six different Knights registered an RBI. UCF starter Grant Schuermann went six innings deep with five strikeouts. He worked around one walk and a pair of base knocks for his team-leading sixth quality start of the year. He carried a no-hitter into the fourth inning. The Knights and Bearcats will finish their series with a doubleheader Saturday.
Houston 13, Wichita State 5
Houston slugged its way past Wichita State in a 13-5 win to open its weekend series. Seven of the Cougars’ 16 hits went for extra bases, as six Houston batters enjoyed a multi-hit showing. Joe Davis finished 3-for-5 with two home runs, one intentional walk, five RBIs and three runs scored. Tyler Bielamowicz also turned in a three-hit effort. He went 3-for-4 with three singles, one walk and three runs scored. Houston southpaw Lael Lockhart Jr. picked up his third win of the season. He surrendered just one unearned run in six innings while recording a career-high nine strikeouts. Wichita State also had double-digit hits with 11, as three players had multi-hit performances. Game 2 is set for a 3 p.m. ET first pitch Saturday.
Tulane 9, USF 2
Tulane starter Kaleb Roper allowed just one run through 6.1 innings, while Grant Mathews finished a triple short of the cycle in a series-opening 9-2 win over USF Friday night at Turchin Stadium. The Green Wave exploded for six runs over the course of two late innings to pull away from the Bulls. All four of Mathews' RBIs came with two outs on the board, as his fifth home run of the season helped give Tulane a three-run lead in the third frame. He produced three of the Green Wave’s eight hits on the night, as Kody Hoese provided two more, which also included pushing his nation-leading home run total to 18. Roper tallied eight punch outs and scattered four hits on the night. The second game of the series will be played at 3 p.m. ET in New Orleans.
No. 1 UCLA 7, No. 8 ECU 5
It was a top-10 matchup, as No. 8 ECU came up short in at 7-5 loss to No. 1 UCLA in Game 1 of the series Friday night. With the game knotted at five-all in the eighth inning, UCLA’s Michael Toglia registered his third hit of the game plating two runs to give the Bruins a two-run lead. ECU got the bases loaded in the top of the ninth inning, but UCLA stranded the trio of Pirate base runners and clinched the victory.
ECU starter Jake Agnos allowed four runs (all earned) on five hits with a pair of walks and eight strikeouts in his 5.2 innings. Spencer Brickhouse and Alec Burleson's consecutive two-RBI base hits pushed across four runs in the fourt,h giving ECU a 5-2 advantage. Burleson tallied three of ECU's six hits in the game and drove in three runs. Brickhouse plated a pair with a hit, while Lane Hoover and Bryant Packard added base knocks. The two clubs will close out the weekend series Saturday with a doubleheader starting at 5 p.m. ET.
UPCOMING SCHEDULE
Saturday, April 13
UCF at Cincinnati* - 1 p.m. (DH)
Memphis at UConn* - 1 p.m.
Houston at Wichita State* - 3 p.m.
USF at Tulane* - 3 p.m.
ECU at UCLA - 5 p.m. (DH)
Sunday, April 14
Memphis at UConn* - 1 p.m.
Houston at Wichita State* - 1 p.m.
USF at Tulane* - 2 p.m.
All times Eastern and subject to change
*Denotes conference game