Six-run inning keeps Tulane alive at AAC Championship

CLEARWATER, Fla. – The Tulane Green Wave knocked reigning American Athletic Conference Tournament Champion USF out of 2022 tournament play with a 9-6 victory on Wednesday.

Tulane, now 32-25-1 on the year, will play the loser of Memphis vs. Houston at 12:00 p.m. on Friday for a spot in the semi-final.

Brian Valigosky (1-0) notched his first win on the mound, working 2.1 innings. He allowed three hits, two earned runs and striking out three in the elimination contest.

After getting out to a 1-0 lead in the first frame thanks to smart base running by Bennett Lee, a three-run homer by USF in the third inning would turn the score in favor of the Bulls, 3-1.

An explosive six-hit, six-run fourth inning would put Tulane in control with a 7-3 lead. Simon Baumgardt, Gavin Schulz, Jared Hart, Luis Aviles, Brady Marget and Teo Banks all put one in play for the Wave.

USF would respond with two crossing home in the fifth frame, but Tulane still held the lead 8-5.

Banks would help extend Tulane’s lead with his first career homerun in the bottom of the sixth inning. The freshman also notched four RBI on the afternoon.

GET OUTTA HERE!!!!!#RollWave 🌊⚾️ pic.twitter.com/2EvxfRV8Cs

— Tulane Baseball (@GreenWaveBSB) May 25, 2022

USF didn’t have enough to mount a comeback in the final three frames and Tulane would advance on to the next round.

Tyler Hoffman started on the mound for Tulane, working 2.2 innings while allowing two hits, three earned runs and striking out one. Michael Massey gets the save after pitching 4.0 innings, allowing four hits, one earned run and striking out two.

UP NEXT

Tulane will face the loser of Memphis vs. Houston at 12:00 p.m. Friday. The game will be aired live on ESPN+. Fans can also listen on the radio by tuning into WRBH 88.3 FM.