East Carolina earned a sweep Sunday, May 8, to take a 2-game lead in the American Athletic Conference baseball standings.

Sunday, May 8
Houston 11, Wichita State 8 - Box Score
East Carolina 15, Memphis 1 - Box Score
South Florida 3, UCF 1 - Box Score
Cincinnati 8, Tulane 7 - Box Score

Houston 11, Wichita State 8 - Box Score
WICHITA, Kan. – The University of Houston used a six-run third inning and consistent output across its batting order to secure the three-game series with an 11-8 win against Wichita State in the finale Sunday afternoon from Eck Stadium.
 
Houston junior Brandon Uhse was a catalyst at the top of the order, tallying three hits including driving in a pair to highlight a three-run sixth inning. The three-run output came after the Shockers (16-32, 5-13 American) cut their deficit to one run with a three-run fifth.
 
The Cougars (32-16, 12-6 American) sent all nine batters to the plate in the third, chasing Wichita State freshman starter Payton Tolle (3-6) who allowed five runs on five hits during a season-low 2.1 innings. Houston batted .444 (8 for 18) with runners aboard.
 
Houston produced three consecutive run-scoring base hits among five total in the frame. Freshman Cameron Nickens swatted a two-RBI single into left center. Senior Ryan Hernandez sent a run-scoring single into center and redshirt junior Ian McMillan followed with an RBI-double. 
 
Redshirt sophomore Anthony Tulimero crushed a two-run home run and threw out his 20th runner of the season becoming the first Cougar catcher since Caleb Barker in 2014 to reach the milestone.
 
Houston closer Ben Sears entered with two outs in the fifth inning and went the distance to earn his 11th save. The right-hander stranded runners in the fifth and sixth innings. The 4.1-inning appearance was his longest of the season. He allowed one run on three hits.

East Carolina 15, Memphis 1 - Box Score
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Jacob Jenkins-Cowart registered a career-high four hits pacing East Carolina's 16-hit attack in a series sweeping 15-1 win over Memphis Sunday afternoon at FedEx Park. The Pirates improved to 30-18 on the season and 14-4 in American Athletic Conference play, while the Tigers dropped to 21-24 and 5-13.
 
The Pirates, who earned their fifth AAC series win and third sweep, scored two runs in the first, one in each of the third and fourth, six in the eighth and five in the ninth keeping its two-game lead in the league standings.
 
Danny Beal (3-1) earned the win tossing 1.2 scoreless frames in relief with a pair of walks and one strikeout. Starter Jake Hunter allowed just one run (earned) on three hits with three punchouts in four full frames. ECU would use four additional pitchers out of the bullpen in Ben Terwilliger (0.2 IP, 1 H, 1 BB), Carter Spivey (0.2 IP), Josh Grosz (1.0 IP, 1 K) and Merritt Beeker (1.0 IP, 1 H, 1 K).
 
Connor Shamblin (2-2) suffered the loss allowing three runs (all earned) on four this with three strikeouts in his three innings of work. The Tigers got pitching efforts from six hurlers in JT Durham (3.2 IP, 3 Hs, 1 R), Chase Kessinger (0.1 IP, 1 BB), Daniel Casto (0.0 IP, 3 Hs, 3 Rs), Jacob Gilmore (0.2 IP, 3 Hs, 3 Rs, 2 BB, 1 K), Ben Higdon (0.1 IP, 1 K) and Logan Kohler (1.0 IP, 3 Hs, 5 Rs, 2 BB, 1 K).
 
For the second-straight day the Pirates jumped out to an early lead pushing across a two runs in the top of the first for a 2-0 advantage. With two away, Jenkins-Cowart singled to right field and came around to score on Bryson Worrell's double to left field where he took third on the throw home. After Jacob Starling was hit by a pitch putting runners on the corners, Ben Newton easily plated Worrell with a single through the right side.

South Florida 3, UCF 1 - Box Score
TAMPA (May 8, 2022) – After a shaky start to the weekend, the University of South Florida (25-22, 6-12 American) bounced back for two straight wins to claim the War On I-4 series over UCF (28-19, 11-7) with a 3-1 triumph on Sunday afternoon at USF Baseball Stadium.

South Florida dropped Friday's contest, 10-4, but rallied late in that game, and carried that momentum, coupled with dominate pitching over the final two contests to pick the series win. The Bulls allowed just two UCF runs over the course of Saturday and Sunday's victories.

On Sunday, the southpaw trio of Joseph Sanchez, Joey Volini and Nolan Hudi blanked the Knights over 6.1 IP with nine strikeouts. Volini, a freshman, picked up his first career win on the mound and Hudi nailed down his first save of the season.

A two-out walk by Nelson Rivera was the spark to break the scoring seal in the bottom of the second inning. Marcus Brodil extended the frame with a single and Rivera ultimately came around to score on a wild pitch.

Another free pass got the Bulls going again in the seventh inning. Keanu Jacobs-Guishard walked to lead off the frame and moved into scoring position on a sacrifice bunt by Daniel Cantu. Jarrett Eaton, who has a knack for timely hits, came through in the clutch again with an RBI-single to stretch the USF lead to 2-0.

Cincinnati 8, Tulane 7 - Box Score
NEW ORLEANS, La. -- Cincinnati received contributions from every part of its lineup as all nine starters reached base safely, helping the Bearcats put eight runs on the board and knock off the Tulane Green Wave, 8-7, Sunday. The Bearcats took the series, winning two of three. 

Graduate pitcher Tristan Weaver (5-5) started on the mound and picked up the win for Cincinnati (19-25, 9-9). The left-hander went five innings, giving up two runs, both of them earned, on six hits, allowing two walks and striking out two. Redshirt junior pitcher Jackson Murphy also made an impact out of the bullpen for the Bearcats, throwing one shutout inning while allowing one hit, with no walks and one strikeout.

Sophomore outfielder Cole Harting led the way offensively for the Bearcats, going 3-for-5 in the ballgame with a home run and two RBIs. Redshirt sophomore infielder Ryan Nicholson put together a standout day at the plate as well, going 2-for-3 with a home run, a walk and two RBIs. Redshirt sophomore infielder Kameron Guidry also chipped in, going 2-for-3 for Cincinnati with a home run and two RBIs.