Championship Central
CLEARWATER, Florida – Andrew Brait hit a solo walk-off home run as fourth-seeded UCF defeated No. 5 seed Cincinnati, 4-3, in the first game of the 2023 American Baseball Championship presented by Visit St. Pete Clearwater Tuesday morning, May 23 at BayCare Ballpark.
With the win, UCF (33-24) advances to the winner’s bracket and will face the winner of East Carolina and South Florida on Thursday, May 25 at 1 p.m. ET on ESPN+. Cincinnati (24-32) will face the loser of the Pirates and Bulls Wednesday, May 24 at 3 p.m. ET on ESPN+.
After Ryan Nicholson hit a 2-run home run to right in the top of the ninth inning to tie the game for the Bearcats, Brait stepped up with one out and launched a solo shot to left field to win the game for the Knights.
UCF starter Cameron Leiter struck out nine Bearcats while scattering four hits and one walk in seven innings. Kyle Kramer came into the pitch the ninth and took the win to improve to 6-2 on the season.
Chase Hopewell pitched four innings for Cincinnati, allowing three runs with three strikeouts. Chase Horst (3-4) pitched four scoreless innings of relief before allowing the game-winning home run in the ninth.
UCF got on the board first in the third inning after a bases-loaded walk and a sacrifice fly. The Knights added a third run in the fourth on a sac fly. Cincinnati’s first run came on an RBI groundout in the eighth inning.
2023 American Athletic Conference Baseball Championship presented by Visit St. Pete Clearwater
BayCare Ballpark | Clearwater, Fla.
All Times Eastern
Tuesday, May 23
Game 1: No. 4 UCF 4, No. 5 Cincinnati 3
Game 2: No. 8 South Florida vs. No. 1 East Carolina | 12:37 p.m. | ESPN+
Game 3: No. 7 Tulane vs. No. 2 Houston | 4 p.m. | ESPN+
Game 4: No. 6 Memphis vs. No. 3 Wichita State | 47 minutes after Game 3 | ESPN+
Wednesday, May 24
Game 5: Cincinnati vs. Game 2 Loser | 3 p.m. | ESPN+
Game 6: Game 3 Loser vs. Game 4 Loser | 47 minutes after Game 5 | ESPN+
Thursday, May 25
Game 7: UCF vs. Game 2 Winner | 1 p.m. | ESPN+
Game 8: Game 3 Winner vs. Game 4 Winner | 47 minutes after Game 7 | ESPN+
Friday, May 26
Game 9: Game 5 Winner vs. Game 7 Loser | 1 p.m. | ESPN+
Game 10: Game 6 Winner vs. Game 8 Loser | 47 minutes after Game 9 | ESPN+
Saturday, May 27
Game 11: Game 9 Winner vs. Game 7 Winner | 9 a.m. | ESPN+
Game 12: Game 10 Winner vs. Game 8 Winner | 47 minutes after Game 11 | ESPN+
Game 13: Game 9 Winner vs. Game 7 Winner (If Necessary) | TBD | ESPN+
Game 14: Game 10 Winner vs. Game 8 Winner (If Necessary) | TBD | ESPN+
Sunday, May 28
Game 15: Semifinal Winners | Noon | ESPNEWS and ESPN+