Championship Central
CLEARWATER, Florida – Houston defeated Wichita State, 4-3, in an elimination game at the 2023 American Baseball Championship Thursday, May 25 at BayCare Ballpark.
With the win, Houston (34-22) will face the loser of Thursday’s game between Tulane and Memphis on Friday, May 26 at approximately 4:30 p.m. ET on ESPN+. Wichita State fell to 30-24 with the loss.
After Paul Schmitz only allowed one hit 3.1 innings, Maddux Miller (4-1) came on and did not allow a hit in 4.2 innings of work to earn the win for the Cougars. Payton Tolle (9-3) took the loss for the Shockers, allowing two runs in 3.0 innings.
Brandon Uhse hit a 2-run double in the third inning to open the scoring for the Cougars, while Alex Lopez singled home Zach Arnold in the fifth to extend the lead to three. Houston added a fourth run in the eighth on an RBI single by Cameron Nickens.
In the top of the ninth, Garrett Pennington launched a 3-run home run, his 15th of the season, to deep left field to pull the Shockers within one, but Justin Murray retired three batters in a row after the long ball to close out the game.
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 12, No. 1 East Carolina 11 (11 innings)
Game 3: No. 7 Tulane 10, No. 2 Houston 8
Game 4: No. 6 Memphis 10, No. 3 Wichita State 6
Wednesday, May 24
Game 5: No. 1 East Carolina 9, No. 5 Cincinnati 6
Thursday, May 25
Game 6: No. 2 Houston 4, No. 3 Wichita State 3
Game 7: No. 8 South Florida vs. No. 4 UCF | 1 p.m. | ESPN+
Game 8: No. 7 Tulane vs. No. 6 Memphis | 47 minutes after Game 7 | ESPN+
Friday, May 26
Game 9: Game 7 Loser vs. No. 1 East Carolina | 1 p.m. | ESPN+
Game 10: Game 8 Loser vs. No. 2 Houston | 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+